Injured Greens candidate charged, slams 'draconian' law
A one-time Greens challenger to Anthony Albanese in the federal elections, who suffered severe facial injuries as police clashed with demonstrators, has been charged with resisting arrest.
Hannah Thomas was among five people arrested while protesting Israel's war in Gaza on Friday outside an Australian firm reportedly linked to the manufacturing of components for fighter jets used by the Israeli Defence Forces.
The protesters accused SEC Plating, in southwest Sydney, of making parts for F-35 jets used by Israel, a claim the firm denies.
Thomas, 35, who was the Greens candidate for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's seat of Grayndler, was taken to hospital with injuries suffered during her arrest.
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In a social media post from her hospital bed, Ms Thomas said the critical injury to her right eye could leave her "potentially without vision", pointing the finger at the NSW premier and the police minister.
"I'm in this position because people like Chris Minns and Yasmin Catley have demonised protesters and passed draconian anti protest laws which licence police to crack down on peaceful protest in extremely violent, brutal ways," she said.
"The anti-protest laws aren't just a threat to people protesting for Palestine but for any person who wants a safer world for all of us."
NSW Police said the demonstration at SEC Plating was unauthorised and blocked access to the Belmore business.
"As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters," the force said late Sunday.
Video of the incident showed police dragging one of the protesters as onlookers repeatedly shouted "get off her" and "let go of her".
Police said Thomas was arrested for not complying with a direction and was charged with resisting arrest.
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She is set to appear at Bankstown Local Court in August.
Footage of Thomas circulating online showed her eye swollen shut and with blood on her face before she was taken to hospital.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson labelled the policing "excessive" and has written to Ms Catley, the NSW police commissioner and the state's police watchdog demanding an investigation.
Police said in a statement said the medical advice they had received about the incident did not meet the threshold for a critical incident declaration.
"Should further medical advice be received, the decision can be reviewed," the force said.
Protest organisers say another protester was grabbed by the neck and choked, while others were knocked to the ground.
All five protesters arrested during the scuffle were granted bail, and four will appear in Bankstown Local Court on July 15.
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