NSW police cite crowd size and hazards including ‘planter boxes’ in push to ban pro-Palestine rallies

Campaigners argue court action to block Sydney protests ‘oppressive’ but PM says event on anniversary of 7 October attacks on Israel would be ‘incredibly provocative’

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Sydney police told organisers of a pro-Palestine rally planned for this weekend they were concerned for the safety of participants and the public given the expected crowd size and hazards at Town Hall including “the recent addition of over a dozen planter boxes”.

New South Wales police also noted the potential impact of the Sunday rally on other users of the precinct including light rail commuters and attendees at the nearby St Andrews cathedral.