Charge dropped after Greens candidate injured in protest scuffle
Ms Thomas was severely injured during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney's southwest on June 27 that was attended by about 60 people, and left her with a bloody and battered eye.
NSW Police said the protest was not authorised and attempted to disperse the group.
'Five people have been arrested following an unauthorised protest in Sydney's west this morning,' a statement at the time read.
'About 5.35am Friday, officers attached to Campsie Police Area Command attended Lakemba Street, Belmore. Police issued a move-on direction to a group of about 60 protesters, who allegedly attempted to block pedestrian access to the business.
'A 26-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were subsequently arrested after allegedly failing to comply with the direction. During the 35-year-old woman's arrest, she sustained facial injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.'
Ms Thomas shared a picture of a swollen eye and streaks of blood rushing down her cheek, revealing she may lose her right eye after a second round of surgery, which she will undergo this week.
Last week, Ms Thomas was charged with resisting arrest and refusing or failing to comply with a direction to disperse.
Four others were also charged with a variety of offences.
'As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters,' a police statement read.
Ms Thomas was additionally charged with a rarely used emergency anti-riot power under 6A of the Law Enforcement Powers and Responsibilities Act (LEPRA).
The powers are in place to deal with 'large-scale public disorder', were introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots and must be signed off by senior officers.
On Monday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden confirmed police had dropped the charge after reviewing the incident.
He said 'police will seek to withdraw the alternative charge' at the next court appearance.
Following the incident last month, Ms Thomas said she may lose her vision permanently and blamed 'draconian anti-protest laws' brought in by the Minns government.
'I don't want to get into too much detail about the traumatic events on Friday, but I'm five foot one, I weigh about 45kg, I was engaged in peaceful protest, and my interactions with NSW Police have left me potentially without vision in my right eye permanently,' she said in a clip shared by MP Sue Higginson.
She is set to face Bankstown Local Court on August 12.
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