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Jenny Leong, the Member of Parliament for Newtown, reported being pepper sprayed as she attempted to exit a rally. According to Leong, who spoke during a press conference held by the Greens, she and other participants had distanced themselves from the main protest when the incident occurred.
“Suddenly, we found ourselves coughing and struggling for breath,” Leong recounted, describing the unexpected encounter.
She detailed the aftermath, noting, “People were visibly distressed, with reddened faces and tears, affected by the tear gas and pepper spray from a considerable distance.”
Leong further observed, “We witnessed two or three lines of police officers pursuing frightened community members along Bathurst Street. They were coughing and running, while being targeted by the police with pepper spray.”
“And we saw two or three lines of police running, chasing terrified community members as they bolted down Bathurst Street coughing and spluttering, being sprayed by police.”
Leong demanded to know why “excessive” force was used on protesters.
“There is no context that ever excuses state police chasing individuals, children, young prams, mothers, grandmothers, fathers, brothers, sisters – chasing students down the street, terrified, trying to escape the police,” she added.
