Anthony Albanese has advised against organizing protests on October 7 due to the significance of this date as the anniversary of the largest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested on October 2 for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a protest rally in Sydney.
New South Wales (NSW) Police reported that the woman was granted strict conditional bail and is set to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on October 23.
She was apprehended under Operation Shelter, which was established in October 2023 to ensure community safety in response to protest activities.
According to the police statement, the teenager turned herself in at Kogarah Police Station on Wednesday, October 2, and was charged with causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organization’s symbol.
Albanese Urges Caution
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged caution against organizing protests on October 7, emphasizing the sensitivity of the date as the anniversary of a significant tragedy involving Jewish people.
He expressed concerns that any demonstrations on that day, even if peaceful, could be seen as provocative and cause unnecessary distress.
Albanese highlighted the importance of social cohesion in Australia’s multicultural society and supported law enforcement in maintaining public safety during planned vigils and rallies in Sydney and Melbourne.
He condemned the display of terrorist symbols and emphasized the need to uphold peace and harmony within the community.
NSW Police Move to Prohibit Palestine Rallies
NSW Police have applied to prohibit upcoming events commemorating the one-year anniversary of a war that resulted in significant loss of life.
In response, the Palestine Action Group reaffirmed its intention to organize peaceful rallies for 51 consecutive weeks, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.
The group criticized attempts to restrict the Palestinian and Lebanese communities from gathering to mourn the victims and reaffirmed their commitment to standing for justice.
They emphasized their right to demonstrate and rejected any infringements on their democratic rights.
The statement concluded with a determination to continue advocating for justice despite political challenges.
