Standoff over Sydney rally route as protest group challenges police powers

Protesters planning to march through Sydney’s CBD during the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog have been urged to take an alternate route, while the Palestine Action Group prepares to challenge the premier’s use of special powers before the rally. Acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan said negotiations were continuing with Josh Lees over the location of Monday night’s march, which the group plans to take from the town hall to the state parliament in breach of a public assembly restriction declaration.

Police extended the declaration on Tuesday, preventing the authorisation of protests under the form 1 system and effectively banning marches in designated areas without the risk of arrest. The current designated area includes the town hall and takes in the northern part of the CBD and the eastern suburbs but excludes Hyde Park.