Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas has been injured following what police described as a “scuffle” at a pro-Palestine protest in south-west Sydney last week.
Thomas was taken to hospital for surgery after the incident. She has said it could permanently lose sight in her right eye.
Police arrested five people linked to the demonstration, including Thomas.
NSW Greens upper house MP Sue Higginson described the police’s actions as “brutal and excessive”.
Protest
Early on Friday morning, around 60 protesters gathered at SEC Plating in Belmore, in Sydney’s south-west.
SEC is a business that adds layers of plating to metal-based products, such as planes.
Activists say the company is linked to a global supply chain leading to F-35 jets, a type of aircraft used by the Israeli military.
The Australian Government has repeatedly denied exporting military equipment to Israel.
The Greens said: “Israel’s fleet of around 40 F-35 rely on the global supply chain and supplement supply from countries like Australia to continue the genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Israel has denied it is carrying out a genocide in Gaza.
Belmore
Police said they arrived around 5.30am on Friday, alleging the protesters were trying to block access to SEC Plating.
A “scuffle” broke out between officers and the group of protesters, according to a NSW Police statement.
Footage from the scene appears to show shouting, pushing, and at least one person getting thrown to the ground.
Police said a 35-year-old woman was taken to hospital for surgery after she “sustained facial injuries”.
Hannah Thomas
Hannah Thomas ran as the Greens candidate in the seat of Grayndler, held by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at the 2025 election.
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Over the weekend, the ABC published an image of Thomas with a bloodied and weeping eye at the scene of the protest.
In a video posted on her social media, she described the events as “traumatic”.
“My interactions with NSW Police have left me potentially without vision in my right eye permanently,” Thomas said in the video, filmed from a hospital bed. In the video, her eye is bandaged.
Thomas said her arrest was the result of the NSW Government’s “draconian laws”. Earlier this year, the State Government outlawed protests near “places of worship” and language to incite “racial hatred”.
The Greens and activist group Legal Observers NSW say at least one of the protesters was informed that part of her offence involved being near a place of worship. A mosque is across the road from SEC Plating.
NSW Police have since denied on ABC radio that any of the protesters have been charged for protesting near a place of worship.
Arrests
Police have arrested five people linked to the protests, three of whom they alleged didn’t follow a “move on” order — a directive used to disperse protesters obstructing traffic, intimidating others, or threatening public safety.
Another was charged with stealing an officer’s body worn camera, and another for using offensive language in public.
Four of the protesters are due to appear in court later this week, while Hannah Thomas’ court hearing has been scheduled for 12 August.
Response
The NSW Greens have criticised the Government over the arrests.
In a statement, upper house Greens MP Sue Higginson accused the police of acting with “impunity”, calling Thomas’ injuries “distressing”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was “concerned” for Thomas’ welfare, but rejected claims the Government’s laws had “emboldened” police.
Police have now confirmed they will investigate the incident in light of Thomas’ injuries.
The investigation will be overseen by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).
