ABC News Daily Why police clashed with Sydney protesters
Feb 10, 2026
Luke McNamara, UNSW law professor and protest law expert. He recounts the build-up and tense police cordon, how a peaceful rally turned violent, and controversial policing of praying protesters. He unpack s recent NSW legal changes, the Major Events Act use for the presidential visit, and why tighter protest rules may harm social cohesion.
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Peaceful Start Surrounded By Police
- Luke McNamara describes the protest as a large, peaceful assembly initially surrounded by heavy police cordons.
- He observed it matched gatherings that had occurred in Sydney for more than two years before it turned violent.
Video Clips Reveal Troubling Police Conduct
- Luke McNamara says videos of police actions are extremely confronting and show troubling conduct toward praying men and others.
- He argues those clips, even if partial, reveal police responsibility for disturbing scenes that merit concern.
MP Reports Being Pushed And Punched
- Greens MP Abigail Boyd recounts being pushed, punched and later needing hospital treatment after police interactions at the protest.
- She insists her injuries were disproportionate and that she was not doing anything wrong at the time.