The footage appears to show two police officers pulling an individual from the scrimmage and moving the individual a few metres along the footpath before tripping them to the ground.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, who had viewed footage of the incident and spoken with the arrested protesters held at Campsie police station, said it had been a peaceful protest that descended into violence when the NSW Police attacked and assaulted protesters.
Video posted to Instagram that was filmed during an altercation between NSW Police and protesters at a picketing of a business in Belmore on Friday.
“Everyone is so shocked and distressed. I can’t believe this has happened,” Higginson said. “Hannah is tiny. She’s five feet two [inches].”
Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi said Thomas had “long been a fearless and strong advocate for the rights of all people to live without oppression and occupation”.
“This tireless advocacy has seen her oppose the government’s complicity in the genocide in Palestine, including actions against companies profiting off the two-way arms trade with Israel,” Faruqi said.
“Hannah’s health is my top priority. Once she is able to consider next steps, she has my full support in responding to this shocking assault and seeking accountability.”
A screengrab from video posted to Instagram that was filmed during an altercation between NSW Police and protesters at a picketing of a business in Belmore on Friday.
Police told ABC News that the incident was not classified as critical.
Higginson described the police’s actions as brutal and excessive, and said she would write to Police Minister Yasmin Catley and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission on Saturday, insisting that it must be investigated as a critical incident.
Peter O’Brien, principal Lawyer of O’Brien Solicitors, is representing Thomas and the four arrested protesters charged with various offences: a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man allegedly did not comply with move on directions, a 41-year-old man allegedly used obscene language towards police and ran from officers, and a 24-year-old allegedly took a police body camera.
Higginson said the event was a symptom of NSW’s “intolerance for protest”.
“I have been a lawyer representing hundreds of protesters for decades … I have never before felt and experienced this sort of tinderbox of intolerance for protest,” she said.
“Engaging with civil dissent needs to be managed in a non-violent way by a state in a mature democracy.”
The four protesters charged were released on bail and are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.
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