Fears over CBD planned anti-abortion protest after religious groups and trans activists clashed outside a church during a speech by Mark Latham
- Hundreds of protesters to attend the Sydney event
- It will take place just 25 m from the anti-abortion clinic.
- It comes on the heels of violent clashes between groups.
Anti-abortion rally organizers have grown fearful ahead of this weekend’s planned rally after a series of tense clashes between religious groups and their opponents.
Hundreds of protesters will descend on St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Sunday for the annual ‘Day of the Unborn Child’ rally.
The protest will take place just 25 meters from a Macquarie Street abortion clinic.
It comes after a violent confrontation between the religious group Christian Lives Matter and protesters in favor of trans rights ended with the indictment of three men.
Day of the Unborn organizer Paul Hanrahan wrote on the event’s Facebook page Thursday saying the police had contacted the group.
Hundreds of protesters will descend on St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Sunday for the annual ‘Day of the Unborn Child’ rally (pictured last year)
Anti-abortion advocates seen during a demonstration outside the New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney in 2019
The police have contacted us and (they said) they have particular concerns, especially after clashes between the ‘rainbow rights’ group and hundreds of counter-protesters outside a Mark Latham event in Belfield Parish last night, as well as events in Hyde Park. last weekend,’ he said.
‘(The police) have assured us of the safety of our group and our right to hold our event is their primary concern, and they will do everything in their power to ensure that.
“We are not there to confront any protesters, but to carry our cross.”
“We will follow all reasonable instructions from the police to ensure that the day is a peaceful and effective witness to the humanity of unborn children.”
It is understood that the Day of the Unborn Child has been celebrated for at least 20 years.
Concerns arise after shocking footage emerged earlier this week showing the moment a woman was punched during a ‘peaceful’ protest outside of St Michael’s Church in Belfield in the inner-west of Sydney.
One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham was due to speak to around 500 people.
Protesters during an earlier anti-abortion demonstration in Hyde Park, Sydney
The riot squad was called in after more than 500 people turned out to protest outside St Michael’s Church in Belfield. Image: Facebook
One Nation MP Mark Latham was invited to speak on religious freedoms. Image: Facebook
In video uploaded to social media, an activist can be heard calling on police to “get us out of here” shortly before a man forcefully punches a woman in the back of the head.
The woman screams before falling on another person.
Police allege that glass bottles and other projectiles were thrown at the officers.
“At this stage, we believe water bottles and some rocks were thrown,” Superintendent Sheridan Waldau said.
This was nothing more than a violent confrontation.
Police allege that a male officer suffered a hand injury during the fight. He was taken to Canterbury Hospital in stable condition.
Three men, ages 34, 41 and 41, were charged after the incident and will appear in court next month.
Police allege that stones were thrown and a male officer suffered a hand injury. Image: Facebook
Last weekend, hundreds of people flocked to Melbourne to support and protest against Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshul, an anti-transgender activist from the UK.
The protest drew widespread criticism after a group of about 30 black-clad neo-Nazi protesters performed the Nazi salute on the steps of Victorian Parliament.
On the same day in Sydney, approximately 100 people participated in an opposition rally in Queen’s Square together with the Pro-LGBTQI+ group Community Action for Rainbow Rights.
