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NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, Peter McKenna, expressed that the police force fully acknowledges the current global tensions and is committed to supporting individuals who wish to express their opinions through peaceful demonstrations.
He emphasized, “We are proud to be part of a multicultural community.”
McKenna clarified, “As the NSW Police, we do not engage in political activities.”
He highlighted that last year alone, around a thousand protests were successfully managed in Sydney’s CBD.
McKenna urged, “Cooperate with us and follow the guidelines, and you will be able to hold your public gatherings peacefully.”
“No doubt you’ll get the media attention that you want.”
McKenna said NSW Police are not accepting Form 1 protests at this stage.
“Form 1s give people protection from the Summary Offences Act,” he said.
“It means that people can’t be prosecuted for impeding vehicles, blocking roadways, people on the footpaths, those sorts of things.”
“At the end of the day, it is all about public safety for us,” McKenna said.
“It’s also understanding we’ve just come off the back of the most horrific terrorist incident that Australia has ever seen.
“There may well be police with long arms just because of the current threat environment we are in.”
“I think the community is getting more and more used to seeing them,” he said.