Former Greens candidate, bruised and bloodied, undergoes facial surgery after police arrest

The Greens candidate who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his inner west seat at last month’s election has undergone surgery for serious facial injuries after being arrested at a protest in western Sydney on Friday.

Hannah Thomas, a lawyer and activist, was photographed with a bloodied face and bruised, swollen shut, right eye in the back of an ambulance after her arrest during a picketing outside a business that reportedly supplies plating services for F-35 jets used by the Israeli Defence Force.

Hannah Thomas with a bruised and swollen eye, and bloodied face in an ambulance after being arrested during a protest in Belmore on Friday.

Thomas, 35, ran as the Greens candidate for Grayndler against Albanese in the May federal election.

NSW Police arrested five people following what it said was an unauthorised protest of about 60 people outside SEC Plating on Lakemba Street, Belmore, at 5.35am on Friday.

“As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters,” NSW Police said in a statement.

A 35-year-old woman sustained facial injuries during her arrest after she allegedly failed to comply with a move-on direction and was taken to Bankstown Hospital, NSW Police said. Four other protesters were arrested and charged.

Video footage shared on social media shows police officers and protesters in a physical struggle around a person being pulled and pushed by the crowd.

A woman can be heard repeatedly yelling “help me”. Another individual yelled: “Let go of her … Please let go of her”.

The footage appears to show two police officers pulling an individual from the scrimmage and moving the individual a few metres along the footpath before tripping them to the ground.

NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, who had viewed footage of the incident and spoken with the arrested protesters held at Campsie Police Station, said it had been a peaceful protest that descended into violence when the NSW Police attacked and assaulted protesters.

Loading

“Everyone is so shocked and distressed. I can’t believe this has happened,” Higginson said. “Hannah is tiny. She’s five feet two [inches].”

Greens Deputy Leader and Senator Mehreen Faruqi said Hannah had “long been a fearless and strong advocate for the rights of all people to live without oppression and occupation”.

“This tireless advocacy has seen her oppose the government’s complicity in the genocide in Palestine, including actions against companies profiting off the two-way arms trade with Israel,” Faruqi said.

“Hannah’s health is my top priority. Once she is able to consider next steps, she has my full support in responding to this shocking assault and seeking accountability.”

Police told ABC News that the incident was not classified as critical.

Higginson described the police’s actions as brutal and excessive, and said she would write to Police Minister Yasmin Catley and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission on Saturday, insisting that it must be investigated as a critical incident.

Peter O’Brien, principal Lawyer of O’Brien Solicitors, is representing Thomas and the four arrested protesters charged with various offences: a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man allegedly did not comply with move on directions, a 41-year-old man allegedly used obscene language towards police and ran from officers, and a 24-year-old allegedly took a police body camera.

Higginson said the event was a symptom of NSW’s “intolerance for protest”.

“I have been a lawyer representing hundreds of protesters for decades … I have never before felt and experienced this sort of tinderbox of intolerance for protest,” she said.

“Engaging with civil dissent needs to be managed in a non-violent way by a state in a mature democracy.”

The four protesters charged were released on bail and are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

Most Viewed in National

Loading