Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside a police station in Sydney to condemn the police response to a demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog held just a day before.Â
Police began blockading the perimeter of Harmony Park next to Surry Hills Police Station at 5pm on Tuesday just before a rally was set to take place.
The Palestine Action Group (PAG) organised the rally after violent clashes erupted between officers and protesters at Monday evening’s protest, which led to 27 arrests and nine people charged.
The group called for the resignation of NSW Premier Chris Minns and for all charges against protesters to be dropped.Â
One man was detained by police after shining a torch at officers. (ABC News: ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Although tensions were more subdued on Tuesday evening, an 18-year-old man was arrested by police after shining a torch in some officers’ faces, while other protesters appeared to yell verbal abuse.Â
PAG spokesperson Josh Lees opened the rally on Tuesday chanting: “This is not a police state, we have the right to demonstrate.”
PAG spokesperson Josh Lees organised Monday and Tuesday’s protests.
 (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
In a speech to attendees, Mr Lees condemned scenes on Sydney’s George Street on Monday night, comparing the police response to a “brand” of “authoritarianism” only seen in “Trump’s America”.
At one point the crowd interrupted Mr Lees’s speech to chant: “Chris Minns in the bin.”
No major incidents
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said the event concluded without major incident.
“The antagonistic behaviour and provocation displayed by several protesters was significant; however, the professionalism of the police was borne out and I commend the composure shown by our officers on the front line,” he said in a statement.
“Police continued to perform their duties responsibly and respectfully, even when confronted with challenging behaviour and, in some instances, deeply disturbing conduct from individuals within the assembly.”
The NSW premier has fought back against claims officers engaged in “police brutality” on Monday night, saying the force made tactical decisions in a “difficult situation”.
Police response ‘extremely disappointing’, says protester
Tensions were more subdued on Tuesday evening among the crowd. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Mr Lees listed the alleged injuries suffered by a number of attendees during Monday’s demonstration, including NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd who was wearing a neck brace on Tuesday.
Almost in tears, Ms Boyd had confronted Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in the corridors of parliament earlier on Tuesday, alleging she was assaulted at the protest.
In vision captured from Monday’s event, Ms Boyd was seen being pushed by officers twice at the protest. She was subsequently treated at Sydney Hospital.
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Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, the man who led the prayer group that were interrupted by NSW Police officers on Monday night, told Tuesday’s crowd they were late to sunset prayer and had chosen a spot while abiding by police direction.
“As a people we have to respect each other’s worship no matter where you’ve come from, your language, colour of your skin or background … no matter what we always respect each other on that basis,” he told the crowd.
“For NSW Police to not respect that is really telling and extremely disappointing and very, very aggressive.”
Earlier in the day, the premier was asked about the group of men who had prayed at the protest.
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“There is no suggestion under any circumstances that police would have wanted to cause offence to the people praying or get in the way of people lawfully exercising their religion,” he said.
“It was, in effect, in the middle of a riot.”
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the response came in “the context” of the “violent crowd” moving onto police.
Prior to Tuesday’s protest, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley encouraged those planning to attend the rally to reconsider.
“Think again,” she said during question time at parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
“Because you are deliberately antagonising the NSW Police.”
Dozens of police blocked off the perimeter to Surry Hills Police Station as protesters gathered  on Tuesday. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Nine people charged over Monday rally
Police estimated 6,000 people gathered at Town Hall on Monday for what PAG said would be a peaceful rally against Mr Herzog’s visit.
At the conclusion of the speeches, the crowd assembled on George Street wanted to march to NSW Parliament despite the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) and Major Events Act making it unlawful to do so.
Protesters and police clashed during Monday evening’s protest. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Rallies and marches are currently prohibited at Town Hall under temporary protest restrictions invoked earlier this month by Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
On Saturday, police were also granted extra powers under the major events act to move people on and close off parts of the CBD this week.
The nine people charged on Tuesday, who are aged from 19 to 67, were charged with offences ranging from assaulting police, hindering police and refusing to comply with a direction.
In a statement, police said officers were in the process of charging six others with criminal offences who will also face court at a later date.
Police said melees and fighting broke out in the crowd. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Police said five members of the public were hospitalised after officers used pepper spray, while two officers were treated by paramedics at the scene.
It comes as Mr Herzog went to Bondi Chabad to meet the families of the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack on Tuesday afternoon.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been in Sydney this week. (ABC News: Isobel Roe)
The visit involved a private meeting between the families, the Israeli president and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who played a key role in advocating for the prime minister’s decision to launch a royal commission.
The gathering was the final formal community event in Sydney during Mr Herzog’s visit.