The One Nation leader was to address a church-organised meeting about his concerns that the ‘trans agenda’ was eroding parental rights, so the LGBTQ group Community Action for Rainbow Rights (CARR) invited its members to protest outside.
By 6 pm, St Michaels was buzzing with activity. There was a mass in the church. Members of the group Christian Lives Matter, wearing the movement’s distinctive black T-shirts, were there, praying the rosary. People were gathering for the talk. A handful of police was on hand too.
St Michael’s Belfield parish says that “Community Action for Rainbow Rights” protesters broke a Crucifix outside the church and tried to set it on fire that's when all hell broke loose.
Footage posted on social media showed police trying to disperse the angry crowd, which at its height reached about 500.
The Public Order and Riot Squad were then called, as glass bottles, rocks and punches were allegedly thrown. One officer was injured after being struck on the hand and taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Detectives charged two men – aged 34 and 41 – on Wednesday and a 42-year-old man was arrested at Campsie Police Station on Wednesday night.
He was charged with assaulting a police officer during a public disorder, hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty and affray.
The Moorebank man was granted conditional bail and will appear before Bankstown Local Court on April 11.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has condemned the violent behaviour by protestors outside St Michael’s, Belfield on 21 March, describing it as “unacceptable.”
Mr Latham addressed the event on Tuesday night and said police had advised him not to speak. 'To not give my speech, to go straight home would have allowed the transgender protesters to cancel my free speech and democratic rights as an election candidate, things that are sacred to me and have been for 35 years in running for elections, local, Federal and State,' he tweeted. 'I didn't see what happened on the front street, but I sincerely convey my best wishes to those injured and thank the police officers involved for their work. No one should take the law into their own hands. Violence at political events is wrong.' Mr Latham stressed he didn't organise the event but was invited to speak. Speaking to 2GB on Wednesday morning, Mr Latham said politicians should be allowed to speak without groups blocking roads and access to the church. 'There was no need for what happened out the front, it diminishes our democracy, and we're better off sorting out our differences at the ballot box,' he said. 'This is a really bad development in our system, who would go into politics when this is what you face now? 'Transgender activists threatening to block the road and access to the church - that was wrong. 'But keep your hands to yourself, don't be violent.' During the chaos, a cameraman was shoved to the ground by a Christian protestor as he tried to make his way through the crowd. 'Get the f*** out of here', a large man screams before lashing out. Another man then pushes him again before slamming to the ground as a swarm of men stand over him in a circle. The NSW Police riot squad eventually had to be called in, with a 34-year-old man arrested and charged with encouraging the commission of crimes. He was given conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on April 11. A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with common assault. He was given a court attendance notice to appear before Bankstown Local Court on May 30. READ MORE: Qantas flight crews warn of radio interference and GPS jamming from Chinese warships.
This post was last modified on March 23, 2023 5:15 pm