Greens Party Figure Alleges Police Brutality at Protest, Plans Legal Action
Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas is alleging severe police misconduct following her arrest at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Sydney on June 27th. Thomas, who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the last federal election, claims she sustained a serious eye injury after being punched in the face by a police officer.
Her legal team at O'Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors asserts that body-worn camera footage confirms their client's account and intends to sue the state of New South Wales. They are also demanding the withdrawal of criminal charges against Thomas, which include resisting police and failing to comply with a direction.
The alleged incident occurred during a protest of approximately 60 people outside SEC Plating, a company demonstrators accuse of manufacturing parts for the F-35 jet program. SEC Plating has refuted these claims. Following the arrest, Thomas was hospitalized and has undergone multiple surgeries, facing potential permanent vision loss in her right eye.
According to her lawyer, Peter O'Brien, the available footage demonstrates that Thomas was "an innocent victim of gratuitous police brutality and excessive use of force." He further stated that he has formally requested the NSW police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop all charges against her.
Initial comments from NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Brett McFadden defended the actions of his officers, stating that a "scuffle ensued" during the arrest after Thomas allegedly failed to comply with a move-on direction. However, O'Brien disputes this account, suggesting that McFadden's statements may have been misleading.
The legal team is preparing a civil suit against the state, alleging assault and battery, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office, and collateral abuse of process. They also highlight the timing of the incident alongside the government's efforts to expand police powers related to public assemblies, raising concerns about potential constitutional violations.
Further complicating the situation, police initially charged Thomas under rarely used emergency powers stemming from the 2005 Cronulla riots, before later amending the charges.
Sue Higginson, the NSW Greens spokesperson for justice, has echoed calls for the charges against Thomas and other protesters to be dropped. She has also demanded that McFadden step down and face an investigation into his conduct, and that the officers involved in the incident be charged.
Thomas herself has indicated that it will take months to determine the extent of the damage to her vision.
NSW police have declined to comment directly on the allegations due to an ongoing "critical incident investigation" overseen by the Professional Standard Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). They stated that the investigation will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the serious injury and the conduct of the police involved.
