Statement on the violent arrest of Danny Lim
November 22nd arrest of Danny Lim at the Queen Victoria Building is what a police state looks like. It is a terrible reflection of the unfettered powers of the NSW Police to arrest protesters. Danny Lim is a Sydney icon and his long term persistent public protests are recognised by people from across the city. Two police officers approached Mr Lim after being called by security and instead of peacefully and safely moving him on they chose to arrest him, pushing him to the ground face first, causing him to be hospitalised with a head injury.
This is a violent response to a non-violent protest which seems to be the mandate of the current NSW Government and we can now see it playing out with peaceful people like Mr Lim. The Greens condemn the actions of the NSW Police in the violent arrest of Danny Lim and have called on the Police Minister for an independent investigation. It is not appropriate for the Police to undertake an internal investigation in the circumstances.
The Greens also call on the NSW Government to repeal all anti-protest laws, introduce protections for peaceful protestors and increase and improve independent oversight of policing in NSW.
In 2019/20 the NSW police were sued 298 times for a variety of actions including assault, battery, unlawful imprisonment and malicious prosecution. During the same period, NSW Police paid out more than $24 million to settle and defend police misconduct charges. We need to see an end to NSW Police being responsible for investigating themselves and we need better independent oversight and accountability.
Sue Higginson MLC and The Greens NSW stand in solidarity with Mr Lim and all of the peaceful protesters across NSW who have been targeted by police, particularly with First Nations people and people of colour who are so regularly subjected to this treatment.