Protesters at a snap rally to support the Gaza flotilla in Sydney last night claim NSW Police used unnecessary force to control marchers.
A number of protesters were dragged away by police during the rally and march at Sydney Town Hall organised by Students for Palestine.
Protesters gathered in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla of international boats, which was intercepted by Israeli forces early yesterday, as it attempted to deliver aid to Gaza.
One protester, who did not want to be named, told Central News: “I was at the protest, which was very peaceful. We had several talks presented then we started moving and chanting.
“As we started crossing the street police were unnecessarily too aggressive by shoving and violently dragging protestors. I was near the front but not close enough to determine who was at fault, but… the protest was purely peaceful with people simply walking, chanting and holding signs and flags.
“No law was broken, it was rather broken by the police themselves.
Protesters marched on Sydney’s Town Hall. Photo: Yasmin Burazer.
“Protestors started calling for paramedics and doctors to help whomever was injured by the police. After that, we continued our protest through the streets of Town Hall with some interceptions from the police, but protestors continued and demanded their rights to continue.”
Following the march, NSW Police said there had been “no incident of note” during the march.
“There were approximately 400 participants in the protest,” NSW Police said in a statement. “A march was conducted through CBD streets before returning to Town Hall. The group dispersed around 7.30pm, with no arrests made or any incidents of note.”
The flotilla, a humanitarian mission carrying rights activists from across the globe, including Greta Thunberg, collectively sailed to Gaza vowing to end the blockade by Israel, which is accused of deliberately starving the population of 2.2 million Palestinians.
Among those on the ships was Australian activist Abu Bakr Rafiq, who was arrested and detained by Israeli forces, after they stormed his vessel.
Reports said Israel’s military seized 41 of the 42 vessels, when they were in international waters about 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza.
Human rights experts say the detention of activists aboard the flotilla is unlawful, and described the blockade of Gaza itself as unlawful.
At the protest, Rafiq’s family spoke of their fears for him and criticised the Australian government for its lack of support.
“We as Abu Bakr’s family are devastated by his abduction and our anguish is compounded by Israel’s well-documented cases of Islamophobia, repeatedly targeting Muslim participants in previous flotillas and subjecting them to degrading and inhumane treatment,” said Rafiq’s brother Hudayfa.
“Today the Australian government has offered no support, no statements and definitely no action.”
While none of the activists from the flotilla have been heard from since their detention, Israeli authorities maintain they are being processed for deportation.
Central News contacted NSW Police for comment but has yet to receive a reply.
Main image of protest by Yasmin Burazer.
