On October 8, 2025, the NSW Court of Appeal ruled to block a proposed pro-Palestine march to the Sydney Opera House, citing exceptional risks, including public safety and crowd control concerns. The Palestine Action Group planned the event in response to ongoing conflict in Gaza, but the court, led by Chief Justice Andrew Bell and Justice Stephen Free, referenced past crowd tragedies and the need for stricter emergency access controls as key factors for the ban. Organisers subsequently rerouted the protest to George Street. The judges warned that any protest at the Opera House, disregarding the court order, could lead to arrests for contempt of court.
Legal Risks and Protest Defence
The rapid police response and legal actions underscore ongoing tensions about public protest rights in New South Wales. NSW has a protest permit system, but police successfully opposed the Opera House march, illustrating the increasing power to restrict demonstrations where safety or public order is at stake. At O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, we emphasise that individuals arrested under these circumstances need immediate legal advice, particularly for contempt of court or protest-related charges. Our firm maintains a long-standing commitment to defending these rights and ensuring lawful policing and proportionality in public order situations.
The Hannah Thomas Case and Belmore Protest
Our representation of Hannah Thomas, former Greens candidate, epitomises our advocacy for justice amid protest policing controversies. On June 27, 2025, Hannah Thomas was violently arrested in Belmore while peacefully protesting alleged Australian arms exports for use in Gaza. During this encounter, Thomas suffered a serious eye injury after allegedly being assaulted by a police officer. Charges were filed against her, but following our legal intervention, all criminal charges against Thomas were dropped by NSW Police, a vindication of her rights and a critical moment in the campaign against excessive police force and punitive responses to protest activity.
Our firm is also acting for several other Belmore protesters facing criminal and possible civil proceedings arising from the same event, many of whom sustained injuries or were subject to controversial police tactics. Our Principal Solicitor, Peter O’Brien, has been a public advocate for greater oversight, describing the situation as a “fundamental misunderstanding” of police powers and calling for accountability in the policing of demonstrations.
Contact Sydney Protest Lawyers for Arrest for Contempt of Court
Through successful case outcomes, such as the dismissal of charges against Hannah Thomas and prior landmark cases defending protestors, O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors remains dedicated to civil liberties, police accountability, and the rule of law. Those facing arrest or charges for protest activity related to recent Court of Appeal decisions, or serious incidents like Belmore, can contact our office in confidence for urgent advice and representation.
We are committed to defending protest rights and holding authorities to account; justice for individuals like Hannah Thomas and fellow demonstrators drives our work every day.
