The police operation for an unauthorised protest at The Domain in Sydney today has concluded.
A high-visibility operation was launched in response to the planned unauthorised protest today (Tuesday 26 January 2021) and to ensure the health and safety of the community and participants regarding COVID-19.
The NSW Police Force did not receive a Form 1 for the protest and as such, the protest was unauthorised.
Police negotiated with organisers to divide the large crowd into socially distanced groups of less than 500 people within the park and the planned march was cancelled.
General duties officers from Sydney City Police Area Command and across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
No issues arose at the protest and the crowd began to disperse just after 11am, before a large group attempted to commence a march in Hyde Park about 11.45am.
Police spoke with the organiser and the crowd, giving them a formal warning regarding a breach of public health regulations before the crowd eventually dispersed.
During the operation, five people were arrested including an 18-year-old Hill Top man for breaching the peace at The Domain. He was not part of the gathering.
Four others, including a 27-year-old Islington woman and three men – a 30-year-old from South Penrith, a 28-year-old from Wollongong and a 22-year-old from Katoomba, were arrested in Hyde Park following a scuffle during which a police officer was assaulted.
The woman and the 28-year-old man were taken to Day Street Police Station.
The man will be charged with assault police and fail to comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The woman will be charged with hinder police in the execution of duty and fail to comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The other two men were each issued with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) and released.
