Name: Hundreds rally in Sydney despite pleas for quiet reflection
Uploaded: 2025-12-21T06:21:15.125Z
Duration: 2 min 53 s
Description: Despite authorities urging a day of quiet reflection rather than divisive protest, hundreds gathered at a Sydney park for a rally attended by One Nation’s newest high-profile recruit, Barnaby Joyce, which called for immigration reform.

Despite authorities urging a day of quiet reflection rather than divisive protest, hundreds gathered at a Sydney park for a rally attended by One Nation’s newest high-profile recruit, Barnaby Joyce, which called for immigration reform.

Council of the City of Sydney

Protests over immigration took place in Sydney's Prince Alfred Park and Melbourne, despite police denying permission to march and government warnings against public gatherings during a national day of remembrance. The events, attended by One Nation party members including Barnaby Joyce, featured criticism of Prime Minister Albanese and opposition to proposed changes to gun laws.

Authorities warned that the protests were not legally protected, as the organisers' assembly application had been denied, exposing attendees to potential legal consequences. The New South Wales Government announced plans to introduce new legislation related to hate speech and gun ownership when Parliament reconvenes.

Hundreds rally in Sydney despite pleas for quiet reflection

Police denied their application to march on a day the nation paused to remember and to unify. Don't do it. Don't go ahead with it. Right now people are burying their dead, they're coming together as a community, the Jewish community are coming together to mourn the loss of so many people in their family. But in Sydney's Prince Alfred Park under the banner of Putting Australia First, the silence of reflection was shattered by shouting, a significant police presence in place before the crowd arrived, warned not to march but allowed to gather, front and centre One Nation's newest party member Barnaby Joyce. You are weak Mr Albanese, you are weak, you are a weak person. His conduct and his capacity to run office means that he should be removed from that job. Another One Nation candidate admitted the group had pushed on despite requests not to hold the event today. It takes a lot of guts to come out, not only to get on the stage but to come to an event like this, especially with the pressure that's been put on. At a simultaneous rally in Melbourne, they ignored torrential rain and calls from the Victorian Government. It is absolutely inappropriate for there to be protests of any kind during this time. And we see here the real Australians, for we are one and free, we've joyful stayed at South for a time. Unhappy about proposed changes to gun laws. Good people having guns to fight back is certainly part of the solution. But while the groups claimed to be putting Australia first, others accused them of using a tragedy to put their own agenda ahead of all else. And anything else that becomes political agitation and rah-rah is not showing care for the bereaved. We should all call for peace because the hate will make a problem and peace will solve the problem. Melbourne has to go! The calls here were very different. Authorities warned the public not to attend, but that's fallen on deaf ears. The protest not legally protected after the organisers' assembly application was denied, meaning the attendees could face the consequences. During what's been identified as a high risk time, conditions the NSW Government is looking to explore when Parliament is recalled tomorrow. To introduce new laws related to hate speech and gun ownership. Olivia Blunden, 10 News.

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