- PHOTOS: VIOLENT SYDNEY PROTEST
- Police injured as marchers retaliate
- Protest fueled by anti-Islamic video
OC spray used ... Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
A child is seen holding a sign at the violent protests in Sydney. Photo: @jttozer, Twitter
Source: Supplied
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has condemned a violent demonstration over an anti-Islam film in Sydney's CBD.
Eight people were arrested at the demonstration, the latest in a
spate of protests at US embassies and consulates in the Middle East,
Africa, Britain and elsewhere over a film that ridicules Prophet
Mohammed.Ms Gillard said violent protest was unacceptable.
"Violent protest is never acceptable - not today, not ever," she said in a statement on Saturday,
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell condemned the violent protests and promised that those responsible would be punished.
"This is completely unacceptable behaviour," Mr O'Farrell told AAP.
"Those responsible should expect to face full legal consequences for their irresponsible and unwarranted actions."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott echoed the premier's comments telling Seven News: "Violence is never, never acceptable. Yes people have a right to peaceful protest but the kind of violence we saw in Sydney today was completely, utterly, absolutely, unacceptable.
"People who were responsible for it (the violence) should be held to account and people who have broken the law must be prosecuted."
A rioter smashes a police window with a milk crate in the Islamic riots in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Six police officers were injured as a result of the incident.
Two protesters were taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining dog bites and 17 other people were treated at the scene for the effects of OC spray.
Police arrested eight people in relation to the incident. They will be charged with a range of offences including affray, assault police, and resist arrest.
Police injured ... at an Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Street. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
"In NSW there is a right to peaceful protest - a right to express our view - but there are rules to follow," Supt Walton said.
"This group did not advise police of their plans, there was little or no organisation or control of what they were doing, and their actions were disgraceful."
The protest - which follows riots around the world - started at about midday when about 100 people - including women and babies - gathered at Town Hall, marched through Hyde Park and along to Phillip Street, chanting, "Down, down USA" for almost three hours.
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Sydney Riot police, mounted police and uniformed officers pursued protesters down William Street towards Kings Cross as one protester was seen throwing a milk crate at a police car.
The already splintered crowd then broke up further, running through the back streets of Darlinghurst.
A small group collected in a side street, where they were cornered by police who told them to leave the area in separate directions, in groups of three or four.
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Street. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Paramedics were treating people for minor injuries and "decontamination", she said.
Islamic riots in the CBD of Sydney get out of control. Picture: Jane Dempster
Source: The Daily Telegraph
They stopped to pray and knelt on the ground in between speeches and protest chants.
An organiser, who asked to be identified as Sam, told the Sunday Telegraph that the rally was intended to be peaceful.
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
When asked whether the protest had been authorised through council, Sam confirmed that it hadn't because the group was unfamiliar with the rules surrounding demonstrations.
Demonstrators in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster
Source: The Daily Telegraph
The mob had been whipped up into a frenzy when a man began yelling at the crowd, screaming: "Shame on you for using religion to advocate for murder."
The protesters then turned on the man and attacked him with water bottles before rushing towards him.
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Protest organisers vowed to return and continue their demonstrations.
Islamists join to pray in Hyde Park after riots in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Police responded by spraying capsicum spray into the crowd.
Speaking to those gathered, one protester said: "The person who made this video, we want him held responsible.
"And we send a message to the guard pigs (police) ... we want our brothers back."Several CBD streets, including the intersection of Martin Place and Castlereagh, parts of George Street and Market Street were shut down while protestors moved through the city, causing traffic chaos.
Some bus services were delayed and diverted, but services are now returning to normal. Motorists are warned to expect some delays.
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard
Source: The Daily Telegraph
The video Innocence of Muslims was produced in the US but has been condemned by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who said the film had nothing to do with the government, and it emerged the clip was a trailer for a movie that did not exist.Witnesses have captured photos of the protest on Twitter, which has been trending with the hashtag #sydneyriot today. Some photos show children holding signs saying: "Behead those that insult the prophet".
Police officer injured in Sydney CBD protest. Picture: Channel 10
Source: Supplied
Sydney protest turns ugly in CBD
Marchers
have injured police in an unauthorised protest in the CBD after they
descended on the US consulate in the wake of anti-American sentiment
over an 'insulting' anti-Islamic film portraying the prophet Muhammad as
a womaniser and paedophile.
“@ABCNews24: A protest is underway outside the US Embassy in Sydney's CBD. ABC reporter @emmapollard11 is there” pic.twitter.com/7tuC8iqa
PHOTO: Major protest at US consulate in Sydney .. Police swarming from everywhere RT @postboxadam pic.twitter.com/QpjYirxY- cheryl youngthe headlines should have read This is just what Julia Gillard wants for Australia7 minutes ago
- Russell HamsteadThese hypocrits should all be deported, hey clearly don't fit in with australian culture.12 minutes ago
- Kevin BurkeThe film was an insult but so was the behaviour of some of these protesters. An insult to our way of life. These characters scare me but violence cannot be ever...more24 minutes ago
RT“@Adam_Williams_: Sydney I'm afraid this is our new back yard #sydney #protest instagr.am/p/PlYBkoS9vz/” #USembassy
RT @MatthewSnelson: Protest Sydney CBD against anti- Muslim film. Police and protesters hurt. See it all @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/L19UHNNf
Protestors calling for prayer during Sydney protest. "let out brothers go" says protest speaker to police. pic.twitter.com/NZP3Z2Jk
