Three Arrested At Sydney Venezuela Protest On Sunday Evening
Image: Zebedee Parkes/Instagram
Three people were arrested during a protest against the US military intervention in Venezuela on Sunday evening.
300 people rallied outside Sydney Town Hall after snap actions were called around the country on Sunday morning following news that Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro had been forcibly removed by US forces, in an operation that has killed at least 80.
Protesters waved posters reading “Hands off Venezuela”, “Down with imperialism”, and “Release Maduro now!”, with speakers calling for Venezuelan citizens to decide the fate of their country, and the end to AUKUS.
They were met with a small group of around 40 counter-protesters who were in favour of the US’s intervention.
The protest took place despite New South Wales’ prohibition on public demonstrations made in the wake of the Bondi beach terror attack on December 14, with newly introduced laws giving the state’s police commissioner given the ability to restrict public assemblies after a suspected terrorist incident has been declared. Those that rally despite the laws risk possible police prosecution for obstructing people or traffic in a public place.
Three released without charges
NSW police said they attended the “unauthorised protest” at around 6pm on Sunday evening in George Street, where 250 people were protesting, next to 40 counter-protesters.
A 53-year-old woman was arrested for wearing a shirt “displaying offensive messaging”, with the Daily Telegraph reporting the shirt read “globalise the intifada”, although this masthead has not been able to confirm the reports.
Another two men, 26 and 34, were arrested for alleged breach of the peace.
The trio were taken to Day Street police station and released without charge once the protest had finished.
Right-wing social media personality Drew Pavlou identified himself as one of the men arrested for breaching the peace, writing on X that he had been “arrested for holding an anti-Communist sign”. He shared a video of himself pushing through a crowd of protesters whild chanting “down with Communism” and “Fuck Maduro”. He is swiftly apprehended by police, and continues to chant “USA” as he’s led away by officers.
You May Also Like
