Pro-Palestine protester in custody after ‘swastika flag’ stunt in Sydney
Written by admin on October 6, 2024
A pro-Palestine protester is in police custody after he brandished a placard that may breach rally rules during a massive demonstration in Sydney.
There was an abundance of flags and other protest material at Sunday’s rally after police pledges to enforce the law on “behaviour that incites or advocates violence or hatred based on race and religion”.
But one man was arrested after replacing the Star of David with a swastika, an ancient symbol synonymous with Nazi Germany, on an Israeli flag printed onto a placard.
The placard, photographed by NewsWire photographer Damian Shaw, read: “Stop Nazi Israel.”
NSW Police said the man carrying the placard has been taken into custody.
“There’s been close scrutiny of the flags,” a spokesperson told NewsWire.
“The man alleged to have the swastika flag is in police custody.”
The spokesperson said details of the police action would be announced later on Sunday. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is expected to address media at 5.15pm.
Many of the other protest materials waved at the rallies bore resemblance to flags of Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, which popped up at pro-Palestine rallies last weekend.
NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters ahead of the rally that “action will be taken” against anyone seen carrying Hezbollah-related material, including pictures of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Hezbollah flag features a fist gripping an assault rifle.
Flags using the same colour scheme and similar imagery appeared at Sunday’s protests.
Though, with Sunday’s flags altered, it is unclear if they breach any laws or rules.
Thousands of chanting and drumming protesters swarmed the CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne on the eve of the anniversary of Hamas’ brutal October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, which represents the worst loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust.
The Palestinian Islamist group killed some 1200 and took hundreds more hostage as they retreated into Gaza.
The ensuing Israeli response has killed upward of 40,000 in the densely populated Palestinian territory.
More to come.
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