Police Planned to Disperse Sydney Protest if Crowd Hit 6,000, Encrypted Messages Suggest
Correspondence between senior New South Wales public servants, released under freedom of information laws, indicates that police intended to disperse a Sydney protest against visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog if the crowd exceeded 6,000 people. This information contrasts with public comments from NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who stated that police only moved to break up the demonstration after protesters attempted to march in defiance of restrictions.
Encrypted Messages Reveal Internal Planning
On the night of the protest, February 9, encrypted messages on the Signal app show Simon Draper, secretary of the NSW premier's department, inquiring about the situation. Deputy Secretary Kate Meagher, who was stationed inside the NSW police operation centre, responded that the crowd was static but estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 people. She explicitly noted, "Police will be dispersing them if numbers exceed capacity." When asked about the capacity, Meagher clarified it was likely 6,000 at Town Hall.
Meagher later reported that police felt a march was unlikely, but by 7:03 PM, she indicated attempts to march were occurring. No messages covering the subsequent violent clashes were released. Guardian Australia reported that police began widespread dispersal efforts around 7:30 PM, using tactics such as containment lines and pepper spray, leading to arrests and confrontations captured in viral social media footage.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigations
At a press conference the day after the protest, Premier Minns defended police actions, stating they were put in an "impossible situation" due to the attempted march. He has blamed protest organizers, describing them as a "pack of communists ... intent on having a confrontation with police." Commissioner Lanyon, who apologized for an incident involving Muslim men praying, maintained that police were "required" to disperse the crowd because of the march attempt.
The independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is investigating allegations of police brutality, with several protesters planning civil claims against NSW police. Estimates of attendance vary, with the Palestine Action Group expecting about 5,000 people and Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna estimating 6,000 on the night. NSW police declined to comment on the dispersal plan, citing the ongoing investigation.
Contradictions and Government Response
Premier Minns did not directly address whether the encrypted messages contradicted his account. A spokesperson for his department explained that the government coordination centre supports whole-of-government efforts but is not responsible for police operations. They emphasized that NSW police faced "extraordinarily difficult circumstances" and refrained from further comment during the investigation.
The Palestine Action Group, which unsuccessfully challenged the use of "major event" powers in court, stated it was not informed of any plan to disperse protesters at a 6,000 threshold. This revelation adds complexity to the narrative surrounding the protest, highlighting discrepancies between internal planning and public explanations of police actions.
