The Premier of New South Wales has made a strong appeal to potential demonstrators, urging them to refrain from joining large-scale protests planned in Australia’s key urban centers.
Chris Minns has called upon the organizers of the ‘Save Australia’ anti-immigration rallies, scheduled for this Sunday, to cancel their plans. These demonstrations follow the tragic shooting that unfolded last weekend at Bondi Beach.
Sunday had already been marked as a day of contemplation to honor the lives lost in Australia’s most devastating terrorist incident to date.
Minns emphasized that such protests could intensify the anguish experienced by the communities as they continue to mourn the numerous fatalities and injuries.
The attack took place shortly before 7 p.m. on Sunday when 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid, allegedly unleashed gunfire at a Jewish Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 40 injuries.
Sajid was fatally shot, while Naveed was apprehended and now faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder.
In Sydney, a ‘Put Australia First’ protest is scheduled to go ahead at 2pm in Prince Alfred Park and many notable politicians have already confirmed their attendance.
Independent MP Barnaby Joyce and One Nation Senator Sean Bell will also give speeches at the event.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has urged protesters to stay home in the lead up to Sunday’s planned ‘Save Australia’ demonstrations
Thousands of protesters are expected to storm the streets in the wake of last weekend’s deadly Bondi Beach terror attack
The Bondi Beach attack occurred just before 7pm on Sunday, when Naveed Akram, 24 (pictured), and his father Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring 40 more
Minns has warned everyone who plans on joining them: ‘Don’t do it. Don’t go ahead with it.’
The premier stressed that it was not an appropriate time to demonstrate while victims are still ‘burying their dead’.
‘Right now, people are burying their dead. They’re coming together as a community,’ he said.
‘The Jewish community are coming together to mourn the loss of so many people in their family.’
Minns said Australians should hold back and that the temperature needed to be lowered ‘in what is undeniably a combustible situation’.
No application for the city’s protest had been received or accepted by NSW Police prior to the event kicking off.
Officers have warned that while protesters can gather in the park and road blockades would be unlawful and met with police action.
All flags flown on Commonwealth government buildings in NSW will be flown at half mast to honour the day of mourning which Minns announced this week.
No permit was ever filed for the Sydney protest and Minns has warned that while protestors can gather in Prince Alfred Park any road blockages will be met by police
Victoria’s planned demonstration has been met with condemnation by the state’s Jewish community who have called its timing deeply offensive
The premier has arranged for Sydney’s buildings to be lit up in honour of the victims.
‘Buildings will be lit up in yellow for the evening. Lights will beam into the sky from Bondi Pavilion,’ he said.
‘The NSW government will support Jewish leaders to hold a community memorial event, and a shareable candle image will be used on social media.
‘It’s a day of reflection and a pause for the terrible events, the shocking crimes that occurred last Sunday and a show of national respect for those that have lost their lives.’
Melbourne’s planned protest has also garnered criticism but this time from Jewish leaders as well as Victoria’s Premier due to its organisers, Put Australia First.
The demonstration will take place on the steps of state parliament and leaders of Put Australia First have said they will stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
They have described the Bondi Beach attack as an affront ‘against liberal values, peace and harmony and therefore, all Australians’.
Jewish leaders however, have said the timing of the protest is deeply offensive.
more to come
Sajid (pictured) was shot dead and Naveed taken into custody and charged with 59 offences including 15 counts of murder
Sunday had already been designated as a day of reflection following the country’s worst terrorist attack in history prior to the protest having been organised
