A pro-Palestine activist was “surrounded” by police in a dramatic end to a press conference after an officer vowed more than a dozen protesters would be charged over a weapons expo protest.
Police have arrested 13 protesters after moving to break up a pro-Palestine “blockade” of a weapons expo sponsored by the NSW government in Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
No charges have yet been laid, but Superintendent Paul Dunstan confirmed that 13 people would be charged with offences including assaulting police and resisting arrest while addressing the media on Tuesday afternoon.
Protesters had been waiting for those arrested outside the Day Street Police Station in the city’s CBD on Wednesday when police set up the press conference concerning the 13 arrests.
Palestine Action Group (PAG) organiser Joshua Lees indicated that he would similarly address the media afterwards; however, Superintendent Dunstan’s press conference came to a dramatic end when Mr Lees was surrounded by police.
Mr Lees attempted to ask a question after reporters finished speaking with Mr Dunstan, who immediately told the activist that it was “not the time or the place”.
“It’s a respectful question,” Mr Lees interjected.
“Josh, I will speak to you after this has occurred, I am not engaging in conversations with you now, Mr Lees,” Superintendent Dunstan said.
Four officers then moved over to Mr Lees, with one placing his hands on the activist’s chest and moving him back.
The officers dispersed shortly afterwards, with Mr Lees later claiming police threatened him with arrest.
Mr Lees was trying to ask the officer if police had investigated the expo and the companies involved, claiming that some attendees had committed war crimes and genocide.
Mr Lees will not be charged in relation to Tuesday’s protest.
Officers injured during weapons protest
Superintendent Dunstan said police were “set upon” by a large group of protesters that entered an exclusion zone on Tuesday morning.
“Police did not go out and attempt to use force this morning, we were set upon by a pack of very angry protesters, and were required to use an amount of force,” he said.
Pepper spray was used during the ordeal before protesters picked up barricades and pushed them in the direction of police before throwing a bucket of paint at officers.
Two officers were injured in the ordeal, with one suffering a laceration to his nose and a second copping paint in his eye that needed to be flushed.
Mr Lees insisted peaceful protesters were set upon and “attacked”, telling reporters he had been “blinded” after he was pepper sprayed.
“The police know who I am as a protest organiser, and they immediately targeted me and pepper sprayed me in the face from a distance of about 1m,” he said.
“I was blinded and in great pain for 20 minutes or so. This is the kind of police brutality which has been meted out to peaceful protesters today.
“This is an outrage, and of course we are going to keep protesting until Palestine is free.”
Negotiations were eventually reached between police and protesters on Tuesday, and a march from Liverpool St to George St ensued. Protesters left safely afterwards.
Superintendent Dunstan said Tuesday’s events were “entirely out of character” and “disappointing” given the good relationship police had with the PAG over the last few years.
“All the goodwill and work with that group has really been damaged from what has occurred today,” he said.
Superintendent Dunstan claimed no Form 1 had been submitted, while Mr Lees argued there was no need for one.
Mr Lees further claimed that Tuesday’s expo should never have been allowed to go ahead, claiming the convention brought together some of the world’s biggest weapons companies “which have carried out genocide in Gaza” and “a host of other war crimes”.
Mr Lees earlier accused NSW Police of “engaging in brutality against peaceful protesters” after Tuesday morning’s rally turned chaotic, with protesters trying to push through a metal barricade.
More than 30 officers, including from the Riot Squad and Mounted Police, moved in shortly after 7.30am to break up the crowd who were banging on barricades and chanting “war criminals not welcome here”.
The “blockade” was led by the Palestine Action Group and was aimed at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, a multi-day expo at Sydney’s International Convention Centre.
The event is principally sponsored by the NSW government and Investment NSW and brings together local and international leaders in defence manufacturing, as well as multiple civilian industry.
Protesters accuse participating companies, including BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, of being involved in the supply parts or munitions to Israel, subsequently used in the war on Gaza.
Dozens of protesters still lingered outside, chanting and carrying placards targeting NSW Premier Chris Minns and Defence Minister Richard Marles when the event got under way shortly after 9am.
Inside, the atmosphere was a world away.
Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said this year’s event was the largest ever with more than 900 exhibitions and 58 international delegations, including from the US.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy began his speech with Australia’s relationship with the US, stating: “AUKUS, in the words of President Trump, is proceeding in full steam ahead”.
But, it was another country, Israel, that took most of his time.
“We haven’t supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel for at least the last five years and especially since the conflict with Gaza began,” Mr Conroy said.
“In terms of them (businesses) supplying the ADF, we make no apology for getting the best possible equipment for the Australian Defence Force.
“We make no apology for making sure that our soldiers, sailors, and aviators have the best equipment to protect Australia’s interests, to promote deterrence in our region, and that includes sourcing parts from country companies throughout the world.”
Pressured as to whether Australia had ever provided parts that could go on to be used in weapons deployed by Israel, Mr Conroy said “everything goes through a strict export licensing regime”.
“The only export licences that are being approved right now is for ADF equipment that is going to Israel for either repair or upgrade or manufacture to come back to Australia,” he said.
On the protesters, Mr Conroy called for “respect”.
“People have a right to protest, but they should respect the fact that Australians are getting up helping make Australia safer while putting food on their families’ table,” Mr Conroy said.
A welcome from Mr Marles, who had been due to appear, on the event’s website describes it as “one of the world’s premier international maritime expositions”.
“It showcases the close co-operation between the Australian Defence Force, defence industry, international partners and other agencies,” he said.
“All working toward the shared goal of maritime security and a peaceful, prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
‘Go to hell’: Protesters arrested outside expo
The blockade was due to begin about 6.30am outside the IMAX cinema before protesters marched on the ICC – instead, 13 people were arrested after Mr Lees said protesters were “attacked”.
Four of those arrested were taken to Day Street Police Station, four to Surry Hills Police Station and two were released without charge.
“We’re just trying to assemble for a peaceful protest,” Mr Lees said.
“And the police attacked us with horses and pepper spray, you know, and arrest us.
“This is absolutely despicable.
“This is on Chris Minns. This is Chris Minns’ event. He sponsored it. He’s brought all these cops here to attack peaceful protesters.
“This is on him.”
Mr Lees was at the front of the push on the police fence.
Also present at the rally were former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, who was allegedly assaulted by an officer during a separate rally in June, and Rising Tide’s Zack Schofield, who unleashed in a fiery spray.
“You are a disgrace,” Mr Schofield yelled at police officers.
“You personally are a disgrace. I hope you sleep well at night because you’re gonna go to hell.
“There is no equivocation on genocide.”
Protesters chanted “Chris Minns, blood on your hands, Albo, blood on your hands” as officers rushed to reinforce the barricade before the Riot Squad moved in behind it to break up the crowd.
The crowd chanted “free Palestine” and “Boeing, Lockheed go to hell, take Albo there as well”, and included – unlike more recent rallies – a large number of people in face coverings and masks.
Inside Sydney’s weapon expo
Hundreds of people, many in glistening-white navy uniforms, lined up outside the ICC as doors opened shortly after 9am.
Attendees spoke a mixture of languages, including English, French, Arabic, and Hebrew.
Inside, the exhibition hall presented a smorgasbord of civilian and military technologies, from underwater motion cameras deployed by the navy off Perth, to MTU Rolls Royce submarine engines, infra-red drone cameras, anti-drone handheld weapons, and missiles.
A number of different missiles were on display at the booth of Raytheon, a US-based defence technology company, as well as General Atomics Bullseye Long Range Strike Missile – which is designed by Israeli weapon’s company, Rafeal Advanced Defence Systems.
Autonomous technologies were commonplace, including sea and air-based drones, such as the Andurill Roadrunner VTOL and a cardboard Japanese-made training drone, while the Australian Capital Territory and a number of universities also had booths.
One of the most prominent booths was Australia’s largest defence manufacturing company, BAE Systems Australia.
Greens motion to condemn weapons expo
Last week, the City of Sydney voted to condemn the event.
The motion, moved by Greens councillor Matthew Thompson, noted “many of the major stakeholders and sponsors of this event have direct connections to current, and historical conflicts – enjoying staggering profits from misery and suffering from conflict and war”.
The motion also included a request that Lord Mayor Clover Moore write to Premier Chris Minns urging future events “promoting and profiteering from the sale of tools and weapons of war” not to be hosted by the state government in the City of Sydney local government area.
Aussie manufacturers targeted by protest
The expo will include a range of panel events, including from the Royal Australian Navy, the European Union’s delegation to Australia, and the University of NSW.
Other attendees include BAE Systems, an Australian defence manufacturer which holds the contract for manufacturing Australian F-35 jet components.
Raytheon, an American weapons manufacturer, aeroplane companies including Boeing, Australia steel maker BlueScope, and more will also have stands in the exhibition.
The protest is principally being organised by the Palestine Action Group, which has organised near-weekly pro-Palestine marches over the over the past two years.
Australian companies who activists say are linked to, or complicit it, transfers to Israel have repeatedly been targeted by activists.
Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was allegedly assaulted by a police officer during a protest outside weapons-plating corporation SEC Plating in Belmore in June.
SEC Plating has denied providing jet components used by the Israel Defence Forces.
