Latest news with #AntwanyArnold
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Accused Israeli restaurant protester remains in custody
A man accused of throwing food, water and chairs during a protest outside an Israeli restaurant will remain in custody for at least another week. Antwany Arnold, 50, applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon after he was charged with affray and throwing a missile over the July 4 incident. Police allege he was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who converged outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Arnold allegedly participated in an anti-Israel chant before throwing food and two dining chairs in the direction of the restaurant. He's also accused of throwing water at a neighbouring restaurant on Hardware Lane. CCTV footage of the Miznon incident was played in court, alongside police body-worn camera footage of another incident in April where Arnold is accused of spitting on a man. It's alleged he was playing offensive chants from a speaker on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD when a member of the public told him to turn the audio off. Arnold is accused of then swearing at the man and making threats to kill, before spitting on the alleged victim as the police arrested him. He's also accused of using offensive language towards officers during the arrest. The court was told Arnold was bailed over the Bourke Street incident, with a condition to not enter the Melbourne CBD. It's alleged he breached those bail conditions during the Miznon incident and on another occasion in July when he attended a protest in the city. The prosecutor claimed Arnold's offending at the Israeli restaurant was politically motivated and his decision to protest should not absolve him of criminal responsibility. But defence lawyer Tim Hutton said the protest was not driven by anti-Semitism, rather the group was condemning the actions of Israel's defence force against the Palestinian people. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said the purpose of the protest was separate to her consideration of Arnold's alleged offending and whether he was a risk to the community. Mr Hutton denied Arnold posed an unacceptable risk, telling the court the 50-year-old had attended weekly protests for the past two years without turning to violence. He was also planning to contest the charges so the delays might mean his time in pre-sentence detention could surpass any eventual sentence, the lawyer said. Arnold was also a vulnerable man who was finding his time in custody more difficult, the court was told. Mr Hutton argued a curfew and reporting condition could be added to Arnold's bail to reduce his risk to the community. Ms Mykytowycz said she would need time to re-watch the footage and consider other material before deciding on the application. Arnold will return to court on July 30 for the bail decision. A man accused of throwing food, water and chairs during a protest outside an Israeli restaurant will remain in custody for at least another week. Antwany Arnold, 50, applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon after he was charged with affray and throwing a missile over the July 4 incident. Police allege he was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who converged outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Arnold allegedly participated in an anti-Israel chant before throwing food and two dining chairs in the direction of the restaurant. He's also accused of throwing water at a neighbouring restaurant on Hardware Lane. CCTV footage of the Miznon incident was played in court, alongside police body-worn camera footage of another incident in April where Arnold is accused of spitting on a man. It's alleged he was playing offensive chants from a speaker on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD when a member of the public told him to turn the audio off. Arnold is accused of then swearing at the man and making threats to kill, before spitting on the alleged victim as the police arrested him. He's also accused of using offensive language towards officers during the arrest. The court was told Arnold was bailed over the Bourke Street incident, with a condition to not enter the Melbourne CBD. It's alleged he breached those bail conditions during the Miznon incident and on another occasion in July when he attended a protest in the city. The prosecutor claimed Arnold's offending at the Israeli restaurant was politically motivated and his decision to protest should not absolve him of criminal responsibility. But defence lawyer Tim Hutton said the protest was not driven by anti-Semitism, rather the group was condemning the actions of Israel's defence force against the Palestinian people. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said the purpose of the protest was separate to her consideration of Arnold's alleged offending and whether he was a risk to the community. Mr Hutton denied Arnold posed an unacceptable risk, telling the court the 50-year-old had attended weekly protests for the past two years without turning to violence. He was also planning to contest the charges so the delays might mean his time in pre-sentence detention could surpass any eventual sentence, the lawyer said. Arnold was also a vulnerable man who was finding his time in custody more difficult, the court was told. Mr Hutton argued a curfew and reporting condition could be added to Arnold's bail to reduce his risk to the community. Ms Mykytowycz said she would need time to re-watch the footage and consider other material before deciding on the application. Arnold will return to court on July 30 for the bail decision. A man accused of throwing food, water and chairs during a protest outside an Israeli restaurant will remain in custody for at least another week. Antwany Arnold, 50, applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon after he was charged with affray and throwing a missile over the July 4 incident. Police allege he was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who converged outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Arnold allegedly participated in an anti-Israel chant before throwing food and two dining chairs in the direction of the restaurant. He's also accused of throwing water at a neighbouring restaurant on Hardware Lane. CCTV footage of the Miznon incident was played in court, alongside police body-worn camera footage of another incident in April where Arnold is accused of spitting on a man. It's alleged he was playing offensive chants from a speaker on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD when a member of the public told him to turn the audio off. Arnold is accused of then swearing at the man and making threats to kill, before spitting on the alleged victim as the police arrested him. He's also accused of using offensive language towards officers during the arrest. The court was told Arnold was bailed over the Bourke Street incident, with a condition to not enter the Melbourne CBD. It's alleged he breached those bail conditions during the Miznon incident and on another occasion in July when he attended a protest in the city. The prosecutor claimed Arnold's offending at the Israeli restaurant was politically motivated and his decision to protest should not absolve him of criminal responsibility. But defence lawyer Tim Hutton said the protest was not driven by anti-Semitism, rather the group was condemning the actions of Israel's defence force against the Palestinian people. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said the purpose of the protest was separate to her consideration of Arnold's alleged offending and whether he was a risk to the community. Mr Hutton denied Arnold posed an unacceptable risk, telling the court the 50-year-old had attended weekly protests for the past two years without turning to violence. He was also planning to contest the charges so the delays might mean his time in pre-sentence detention could surpass any eventual sentence, the lawyer said. Arnold was also a vulnerable man who was finding his time in custody more difficult, the court was told. Mr Hutton argued a curfew and reporting condition could be added to Arnold's bail to reduce his risk to the community. Ms Mykytowycz said she would need time to re-watch the footage and consider other material before deciding on the application. Arnold will return to court on July 30 for the bail decision. A man accused of throwing food, water and chairs during a protest outside an Israeli restaurant will remain in custody for at least another week. Antwany Arnold, 50, applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon after he was charged with affray and throwing a missile over the July 4 incident. Police allege he was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who converged outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Arnold allegedly participated in an anti-Israel chant before throwing food and two dining chairs in the direction of the restaurant. He's also accused of throwing water at a neighbouring restaurant on Hardware Lane. CCTV footage of the Miznon incident was played in court, alongside police body-worn camera footage of another incident in April where Arnold is accused of spitting on a man. It's alleged he was playing offensive chants from a speaker on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD when a member of the public told him to turn the audio off. Arnold is accused of then swearing at the man and making threats to kill, before spitting on the alleged victim as the police arrested him. He's also accused of using offensive language towards officers during the arrest. The court was told Arnold was bailed over the Bourke Street incident, with a condition to not enter the Melbourne CBD. It's alleged he breached those bail conditions during the Miznon incident and on another occasion in July when he attended a protest in the city. The prosecutor claimed Arnold's offending at the Israeli restaurant was politically motivated and his decision to protest should not absolve him of criminal responsibility. But defence lawyer Tim Hutton said the protest was not driven by anti-Semitism, rather the group was condemning the actions of Israel's defence force against the Palestinian people. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said the purpose of the protest was separate to her consideration of Arnold's alleged offending and whether he was a risk to the community. Mr Hutton denied Arnold posed an unacceptable risk, telling the court the 50-year-old had attended weekly protests for the past two years without turning to violence. He was also planning to contest the charges so the delays might mean his time in pre-sentence detention could surpass any eventual sentence, the lawyer said. Arnold was also a vulnerable man who was finding his time in custody more difficult, the court was told. Mr Hutton argued a curfew and reporting condition could be added to Arnold's bail to reduce his risk to the community. Ms Mykytowycz said she would need time to re-watch the footage and consider other material before deciding on the application. Arnold will return to court on July 30 for the bail decision.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Alleged Miznon restaurant protester ‘politically motivated' police claim
The alleged actions of a man charged with four offences after an affray outside an Israeli restaurant were not motivated by anti-Semitism, a court has been told. Antwany Arnold, 50, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday for a second bail application after his first bid was denied earlier in July. Mr Arnold was charged with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after allegedly throwing food and chairs outside Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane on July 4. CCTV footage shown in court captures a group of protesters chanting 'Death, Death to the IDF' and activating a siren among the outdoor tables. Police allege Mr Arnold knocked a table over and threw a pair of chairs, before having a verbal altercation with a female and throwing a chair in her direction. The court was told Mr Arnold was already on bail at the time for an earlier alleged incident, and his previous bail application was refused due to breaching a condition which prohibited him from entering the CBD. 'While police support the right to free speech, the way the accused goes about it is aggressive, violent, confrontational, and against community standards,' Detective Senior Constable Daniel Sanderson said. Mr Sanderson said Mr Arnold represented an unacceptable risk as he showed a 'complete disregard for court imposed bail'. Tim Hutton, acting for Mr Arnold, said elements of the alleged offending had been 'unfairly exaggerated' by police in their summary. The court was told Mr Arnold was a 'familiar face' in the pro-Palestine movement, with a group of supporters present in court and online. Chloe Campbell, who knows Mr Arnold from their involvement in protests, gave evidence she had never seen Mr Arnold act or behave violently. 'He's always been a joy to see when we see them at the rallies,' she said. Mr Hutton said Mr Arnold's long history of peaceful involvement in the protest movement signalled the alleged offending was 'not the norm' and was not motivated by a hatred of Jewish people. 'It's proposed the offending has been driven by anti-Semitism, I oppose this as strongly as possible,' Mr Hutton said. 'It is the most passionate condemnation of an organisation, the IDF, it is a condemnation of the atrocities and war crimes they've committed. 'That chant is not specifically calling for the murder of individual IDF soldiers but calling for the end of that organisation.' Prosecutor Alex Turner said police allege the offending was politically motivated and the community's safety was being compromised by the actions of Mr Arnold. 'Politically motivated offending is rife in the community currently,' he said. Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz rejected the claim there was no intention of violence in the alleged offending. 'In the circumstances I have to say I completely disagree with that,' she said. 'Regardless of the purpose of the protest … I have to consider the allegations of Mr Arnold's behaviour on that day.' Mr Arnold's lawyer said delays to court proceedings could keep him in custody longer than any possible period of imprisonment that might be imposed. 'Many of these matters are likely to be heading to contest, if he was held in custody that would be an injustice given how significant the delays might be,' the court was told. 'We're looking at January, by that time Mr Arnold would have spent six months in custody, this offending would not warrant a term of imprisonment of that length.' Mr Turner said claiming to be involved in a protest should not absolve a person of criminal responsibility for their actions, submitting that a term of imprisonment would be the 'only course of action'. No decision on bail was reached and Ms Mykytowycz will hand down her decision on July 30.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Man accused of storming Israeli restaurant in CBD makes second bid for freedom
A serial protester accused of storming an Israeli-owned restaurant in Melbourne's CBD has made a second bid for freedom, his lawyer claiming his behaviour was not antisemitic or fuelled by hate. Antwany Arnold, 55, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to make his second application for bail this month, after police alleged he hurled a chair at a diner at Miznon restaurant in Hardware Lane shortly after 8pm on July 4. Arnold has been charged with several offences, including throwing a missile and behaving in a riotous manner. Police allege food, glasses and chairs were thrown at staff and patrons during the incident, which involved a group of 20 or 30 people who had splintered off from an earlier demonstration about police presence at protests. A lawyer acting for police described Arnold's conduct as disgraceful and highly offensive. Arnold's lawyer, Tim Hutton, told the court his alleged actions, some of which had been captured on CCTV and shown to the court, were not driven by antisemitism, prejudice or hate. 'It [was] a compassionate condemnation of an organisation, the IDF, the Israel Defence Forces ... it is condemnation of the atrocities and crimes ... committed,' he said. 'It is in no way any reflection on Jewish people or thoughts or feelings towards Jewish people.' Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz interjected, saying that regardless of whether the incident was to do with political or humanitarian issues, her role was to consider allegations put to her about Arnold's conduct and whether he posed a danger to community safety. The court heard Arnold was on bail over another incident which occurred on April 14, at the corner of Swanston and Bourke streets just after 3pm.
The Age
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Man accused of storming Israeli restaurant in CBD makes second bid for freedom
A serial protester accused of storming an Israeli-owned restaurant in Melbourne's CBD has made a second bid for freedom, his lawyer claiming his behaviour was not antisemitic or fuelled by hate. Antwany Arnold, 55, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to make his second application for bail this month, after police alleged he hurled a chair at a diner at Miznon restaurant in Hardware Lane shortly after 8pm on July 4. Arnold has been charged with several offences, including throwing a missile and behaving in a riotous manner. Police allege food, glasses and chairs were thrown at staff and patrons during the incident, which involved a group of 20 or 30 people who had splintered off from an earlier demonstration about police presence at protests. A lawyer acting for police described Arnold's conduct as disgraceful and highly offensive. Arnold's lawyer, Tim Hutton, told the court his alleged actions, some of which had been captured on CCTV and shown to the court, were not driven by antisemitism, prejudice or hate. 'It [was] a compassionate condemnation of an organisation, the IDF, the Israel Defence Forces ... it is condemnation of the atrocities and crimes ... committed,' he said. 'It is in no way any reflection on Jewish people or thoughts or feelings towards Jewish people.' Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz interjected, saying that regardless of whether the incident was to do with political or humanitarian issues, her role was to consider allegations put to her about Arnold's conduct and whether he posed a danger to community safety. The court heard Arnold was on bail over another incident which occurred on April 14, at the corner of Swanston and Bourke streets just after 3pm.
