Annual protest marches in Sydney marking January 26 will go ahead, despite an extension of controversial new laws banning protests.
The laws were enacted following the Bondi massacre, and allow the state's police commissioner to ban protests for two weeks in the wake of terrorist events, with an option to extend that restriction.
This is the second time Commissioner Mal Lanyon has extended the ban.
However he specifically noted that January 26 marches, including the Invasion Day march, could go ahead, as the restricted area has been limited to Sydney's eastern suburbs, northern CBD and Darling Harbour.
The protest's usual congregation point of Hyde Park is not included in the restricted area, and the march is then expected to march south to Victoria Park.
"Once they are south of Liverpool Street, that is not an excluded zone ... I'm satisfied that will reduce the risk," he told reporters.
Commissioner Lanyon said 1500 police officers would be in the city centre on the day, and highlighted the longstanding recurrence of the Invasion Day rally.
"The Blak caucus rally has been going for a number of years ... There's no specific threat to the community."
On Sunday, a protest against Blak deaths in custody gathered in Hyde Park to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of David Dungay Jr.
Protesters pledged to return, chanting "we'll be back" and "see you on Invasion Day" at police.
Share



