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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Labor conference: Two members removed by police after unfurling Palestinian flag

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Two members of the NSW Labor Party were forcibly removed from a state conference by police.
  • They had unfurled a Palestinian flag from a balcony, displaying messages like "Labor values" and "Human rights."
  • The men demand an apology, citing physical assault and humiliation, while police issued move-on directions.

Two members of the New South Wales Labor Party were forcibly removed by police from the party's State Conference at Sydney Town Hall, prompting demands for answers and an apology.

I was very physically assaulted and humiliated in front of my party members. He [the police officer] went to grab my shirt, I was feeling threatened. I grabbed the railing beside me because I was about to fall over.

— Mark PowellDescribing his experience of being forcibly removed from the conference.

The incident occurred as Premier Chris Minns was entering the venue. Hassan Hijazi and Mark Powell, both party members, unfurled a Palestinian flag from a second-floor balcony. The flag bore the words "Labor values" alongside a list including "Equity," "Fairness," and "Human rights."

According to Mr. Powell, a 29-year member of the party, a police officer quickly grabbed him and Mr. Hijazi, pushing them upstairs and outside. Powell described the experience as a "physical assault and humiliation in front of my party members." He expressed feeling threatened and stated he has significant neck and back injuries, making him vulnerable. Powell is seeking a public apology from Premier Minns.

He [the police officer] took the flag, no conversation, and then he dragged us out.

— Hassan HijaziDetailing the interaction with the police officer during their removal.

Mr. Hijazi reported that the police officer provided no explanation for their removal, simply taking the flag and dragging them out. He stated they had just begun explaining to security that they were permitted to display the flag before the officer intervened. NSW Police confirmed that officers issued "move-on directions" to the two men, aged 48 and 60, after becoming aware of protest activities. The police statement indicated no further action was anticipated. Both men were subsequently barred from re-entering the conference. On Sunday, another banner reading "Stop Arming Genocide. Free Palestine" was unfurled from the same balcony.

Two men, aged 48 and 60, were issued a move-on direction. It is anticipated that no further action will be taken in relation to this matter.

— NSW PoliceStatement regarding the police action taken at the Labor conference.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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