A former Greens candidate, Hannah Thomas, was allegedly punched in the face by a police officer during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney, her lawyers claim. The incident, which occurred on 27 June and was captured on body-worn camera footage, resulted in “extensive and serious injury to her eye”.
O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors, representing Thomas, have stated that their 35-year-old client will file a lawsuit against the state of New South Wales. They also demand the withdrawal of the two criminal charges against her.
At the protest, which drew about 60 people to Sydney, Thomas was arrested and later required a second round of surgery due to fears she might lose sight in her right eye.
Thomas, who previously contended against Anthony Albanese for the seat of Grayndler in the federal election, is charged with resisting police and non-compliance with a police direction.
Peter O’Brien, her lawyer, has viewed the footage and is convinced that Thomas was struck by a male police officer, causing her injuries. O’Brien describes Thomas as an “innocent victim of gratuitous police brutality and excessive use of force”.
Despite the incident, the NSW Assistant Police Commissioner, Brett McFadden, stated that after reviewing the body-worn video, there was no evidence of officer misconduct.
McFadden explained that Thomas was directed to leave the protest area, allegedly failed to do so, resisted arrest, and that others got involved leading to a scuffle and her injury.
Thomas’s lawyers have formally requested the NSW police and the director of public prosecutions to drop the charges against their client and are preparing a civil claim for damages against the NSW state.
The civil claim could encompass violations such as assault and battery, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and misfeasance in public office.
The incident has also sparked criticism of the NSW government’s attempts to expand police powers during public gatherings.
The 27 June protest was outside SEC Plating, which is accused by the protesters of manufacturing parts for the F-35 jet program. SEC Plating denies these claims.
Sue Higginson, the NSW Greens spokesperson for justice, has demanded that the charges against Thomas and four other protesters be dropped, and called for an investigation into McFadden’s conduct due to perceived inconsistencies.
Thomas anticipates a long recovery regarding her vision, having undergone a second surgery on Thursday, while NSW Police have declined further comment due to the ongoing investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
