Greens candidate Hannah Thomas injured in Belmore Palestine protest
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Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas has come away with graphic injuries after a pro-Palestine protest descended into chaos.
A horrific photo, posted in the aftermath of the protest action, shows Ms Thomas with damaged left eye that is shut completely with streaks of dry blood caked onto her cheek.
The unauthorised protest took place on Friday morning outside SEC Plating in Belmore, Sydney.
Protesters claim the company provides components used in a class of jets operated by the Israeli Defence Force.
NSW Police attempted to disperse the group, stating the protest was not authorised.
'Five people have been arrested following an unauthorised protest in Sydney's west this morning,' a police statement 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.'
The injured woman has been identified as Ms Thomas, who challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the federal seat of Grayndler at the election earlier this year.
A video recorded by one of the protesters captures a confrontation between police officers and several attendees.
In the footage, some protesters can be heard shouting, 'let go of her.'
A woman wearing a black coat is from the group and at one moment she appears to fall to the ground alongside a police officer.
An officer is heard instructing, 'Get up now,' to which the woman responds, 'I'm trying.'
It is not clear if the woman who is taken away in the video is Ms Thomas.
A photo taken after the incident appears to show Ms Thomas standing next to an officer with visible swelling around her eye.
A source has confirmed with NewsWire that Ms Thomas has undergone initial surgery and her vision may be impacted.
A joint statement from the Greens said NSW Police had 'violently attacked and assaulted protesters' at the 'peaceful picket … leaving one woman with serious facial injuries and arresting multiple demonstrators'.
'SEC Plating reportedly is involved in providing plating services for various parts used in F-35 jets,' the statement reads.
'The State of Israel's fleet of around 40F-35 rely on the global supply chain and supplement supply from countries like Australia to continue the genocide against the Palestinian people.'
The statement says Peter O'Brien Lawyers has been engaged to represent Ms Thomas along with other protesters.
Ms Thomas has not been charged with a crime, the police said.
The police have charged a 29-year-old woman with refuse or fail to comply with direction, a 24-year-old man with larceny and goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen, a 41-year-old man with using offensive language in or near public place or school and a 26-year-old man with refuse or fail to comply with directions and hinder or resist a police officer in the execution of duty.
They were all granted conditional bail and will appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 15.
Inquiries into the matter are ongoing, the police added.
Rising Tide organiser Zack Schofield was arrested in the tussle and claimed the protest constituted 'legitimate political expression against genocide'.
'I witnessed the brutal assault against a community member this morning, someone who was lawfully expressing themselves in public, and it was sickening,' he said.
Originally published as Greens candidate Hannah Thomas suffers facial injuries after wild Belmore Palestine protest
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