Belmore Protest: O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors confirm that we are acting for several individuals arising out of the events that took place during the protest in Belmore, Sydney, on Friday, 27 June 2025.
We are representing our clients in relation to criminal charges that have been laid and are also investigating the viability of civil proceedings.
The use of police powers in protest scenarios is an issue already under significant scrutiny before the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Our firm has a strong track record in matters relating to allegations of excessive police force and the protection of fundamental civil freedoms.
Belmore Protest
Peter O'Brien, Principal Solicitor at O'Brien Criminal
& Civil Solicitors, has expressed grave concerns over what
happened at the
Belmore protest, stating:
"The recordings demonstrate that there was a fundamental
misunderstanding as to the extent of the police officer's
powers to give directions leading up to the arrests which
ensued.
Given that recent changes in the law in relation to protests have attempted to expand police powers to give directions, now subject to constitutional challenge, police may well have felt emboldened to act without proper and lawful acknowledgment of the right to protest. The government was warned that these changes to expand police powers to disperse protestors could lead to serious and ugly confrontations.
Those warnings have now rung true. Hannah Thomas has sustained a serious and potentially life-altering injury as a result of her interaction with police at the protest. She now finds herself not only recovering in hospital but also facing charges for allegedly resisting police.
This is precisely the type of harm we cautioned to the court and the public. In a democratic society, no individual should suffer injury at the hands of law enforcement merely for exercising their lawful right to protest. What has happened to Ms Thomas is deeply concerning and should never have occurred."
– Principal Solicitor at O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, Peter O'Brien.
At this stage, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on the specific circumstances of the incident while legal proceedings remain ongoing. However, we remain committed to pursuing accountability and ensuring that the rights of all individuals, including those exercising their democratic freedoms, are protected under the law.
Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
O'Brien Criminal & Civil
Solicitors
Experts in Police Misconduct & Civil
Accountability