A pro-Palestinian protester holding a baby nearly stole Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's thunder when police moved in to remove her while he was giving a speech on Monday.
Mr Albanese was opening a new $1.3 million “dementia-friendly” reserve in the western Sydney suburb of Ashfield, part of his federal electorate, when fighting broke out in the small crowd.
A woman with a baby by her side had stood quietly among the small crowd, holding up a sign that read “Shame Albo” with a drawing of a piece of watermelon, a protest symbol used to replace the Palestinian flag.
The lone protester was seen holding a baby and defiantly holding up a sign as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed a small crown in Sydney's west
Two officers, believed to be Australian Federal Police delegated to the Prime Minister's personal protection, approached the woman, while one of them grabbed her in a bear hug to manipulate her out of Mr Albanese's line of sight.
The woman screamed and fell to the ground, thwarting the officers as Mr. Albanese continued his speech without missing a beat.
Greens Inner West councilor Dylan Griffiths wrote on Facebook that he was 'horrified' by what he saw and immediately rushed over to help the woman 'when it became physical'.
“It was tough,” Mr Griffiths wrote.
“I went there and told the police to leave her alone (they did that after the failed takedown), and (I) stood next to her during the ceremony.”
“Other councilors and MPs present should have joined me in ensuring this resident was okay.
“It doesn't matter if you are protested, Albo had the microphone and he should have said something. It was just a sign.'
The Lewis Herman Reserve, which Mr Albanese opened, is designed as 'Australia's first purpose-built dementia park'.
The woman held up a sign that read “Shame Albo,” along with a drawing of a piece of watermelon, a protest symbol that replaces the Palestinian flag.
Two officers moved in to try to move the protester out of the Prime Minister's line of sight
“This park is a breakthrough in the design and implementation of a park that meets the needs of the entire community,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
'We are excited to deliver a park that supports the community's multi-generational use and reflects the diverse backgrounds of the community.'
The use of watermelon slices to replace the Palestinian flag dates back to the 1967 Six-Day War.
After capturing Gaza and the West Bank, the Israeli government banned the public display of the Palestinian flag.
In violation of the ban, slices of watermelon were displayed because they have the same colors as the Palestinian flag: red, black, white and green.
The Australian Federal Police has been contacted for comment.