High visibility policing with early and disproportionate escalation tactics From 06:00, LONSW observed a heavy police presence across the foreshore area. The ICC was completely surrounded by teams of police and numerous vehicles including vans, riot-squad 4WDs, police rescue, a drone team, and mounted unit trucks. Teams of 2 or more police were closely yetContinue reading “Report: Policing of Indo Pacific Naval Expo 2025”
Author Archives: legalobserversnsw
Report: Policing of Rising Tide 2025
Legal Observers NSW deployed a team of independent legal observers at the Rising Tide protest in Newcastle. This report records the observations of the team from Thursday to Sunday. Police set up the buoys to mark the exclusion zone on Thursday morning. The buoys stated ‘exclusion zone do not enter’ and had no date markingContinue reading “Report: Policing of Rising Tide 2025”
Report: Policing at Sydney Opera House on 12 October
Legal Observers NSW observed police at the Opera House in Sydney on 12 October from 1pm to 4pm. The Opera House set up barriers stopping entry into the forecourt except through metal detector scanners and with staff asking some of those entering to check their bags. Observers saw about 600-700 people searched by Opera HouseContinue reading “Report: Policing at Sydney Opera House on 12 October”
Report: Policing of pro-Palestine rallies on 1 October and 2 October in Wollongong and Sydney
Legal Observers NSW obtained footage and statements from several individuals involved in rallies in Wollongong and Sydney on 1 October and 2 October respectively. The following were recorded. On 1 October police pepper sprayed a 70 year old man, Russell, at a peaceful Palestine rally in Wollongong without warning or opportunity to comply with policeContinue reading “Report: Policing of pro-Palestine rallies on 1 October and 2 October in Wollongong and Sydney”
Report: Policing of Sydney protests and counter-protests on 31 August, 7 September and 13 September
Legal Observers NSW fielded teams in Sydney CBD and Bondi Beach during rallies taking place on 31 August, 7 September and 13 September. This report summarises the policing of these rallies based on observed police-protestor interactions and media reporting. Key points include: Read the full report here
Report: Policing of the March for Humanity
Confusing and unplanned directions from NSW Police endanger protestors, elderly protestor with walking stick pushed over by police horse Legal observers at today’s March for Humanity witnessed actions by the NSW Police that put the participants of the peaceful march in unnecessary risk of crowd crush. NSW Police changed the route of the march asContinue reading “Report: Policing of the March for Humanity”
Report: Policing of SEC Plating picket Belmore
5 arrested and several assaulted by police at Belmore protest Legal Observers NSW observed a peaceful protest at SEC Plating in Belmore this morning, where police made 5 arrests. Police were observed to tackle individuals walking along the footpath to the ground and drag one person on the concrete, causing serious injuries to her eyeContinue reading “Report: Policing of SEC Plating picket Belmore”
Policing of Rising Tide 2024 – Key Observations
Legal Observers NSW fielded a team of 40 observers over the Rising Tide protest from Tuesday to Sunday. The following observations were made on the basis of firsthand legal observer accounts. Key observations Use of police resources A significant amount of police resources Tuesday-Sunday were devoted to traffic patrols on Wharf St. Police pulled overContinue reading “Policing of Rising Tide 2024 – Key Observations”
Report: Policing of Palestine Action Group rally 29 September
Legal Observers NSW fielded a team of observers at the Palestine Action Group rally on 29th September at Sydney Town Hall. Police were observed pepper spraying a 13 year old child and two other protestors as well as engaging in potentially unlawful attempts to remove flags from protestors and threatening protestors with charges for displayingContinue reading “Report: Policing of Palestine Action Group rally 29 September”
Report: NSW Police use of bail against activists
Legal Observers NSW has been monitoring the application of police bail conditions to protestors in NSW since 2021. This report sets out common types of bail conditions applied to protestors and notes the growing trend of police applying bail conditions that seek to restrict association with protest groups and participation in any kind of protestContinue reading “Report: NSW Police use of bail against activists”
Legal Observers NSW 