Australia’s police defends the use of capsicum spray against protesters
New South Wales (Australia) Police have defended the use of capsicum spray on a group of people who allegedly acted aggressively after a protest in Sydney against racism and Aboriginal deaths in custody. Photo: AAP. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.
SYDNEY, Jun 7, 2020, 9News. NSW Police have defended the use of capsicum spray on a group of people who allegedly acted aggressively after a protest in Sydney against racism and Aboriginal deaths in custody, 9News reported.
Some 20,000 people joined the Black Lives Matter march in central Sydney on Saturday after the Court of Appeal declared it an authorised public assembly less than 15 minutes before it was due to begin.
NSW Police Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the protest was mostly peaceful but expressed disappointment in the “aggressive” actions of some people after the rally.
“The fact there were a number of groups of individuals after the protest that chose to act unlawfully is disappointing to us,” he told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
“Police aren’t punching bags and don’t deserve to have this happen.”
Protesters clashed briefly with police at Central Station after the main rally about 6pm and capsicum spray was deployed by officers after a group of people allegedly became aggressive.
Mr Lanyon said several people were “inciting” police and when officers tried to settle the situation, a 21-year-old man allegedly acted aggressively towards them.
Officers from the riot squad attempted to remove him and a struggle ensued, police said.
The man was arrested with police alleging the group became more aggressive prompting officers to deploy capsicum spray.
Reported with AAP
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