Sydney CBD anti-abortion protest fears after religious groups and trans activists clashed

Fear over planned CBD anti-abortion protest after religious groups and trans activists clashed outside a church during a speech by Mark Latham

  • Hundreds of protesters to attend the event in Sydney
  • Will take place just 25 meters from the anti-abortion clinic
  • Comes just after violent clashes between groups

Organizers of anti-abortion rallies are feeling anxious ahead of this weekend’s rally after a number of tense clashes between religious groups and their opponents.

Hundreds of protesters will descend on St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Sunday for the annual ‘Day of the Unborn Child’ rally.

The protest is taking place just 25 meters from an abortion clinic on Macquarie Street.

It comes after a violent confrontation between religious group Christian Lives Matter and pro-trans rights protesters ended in three men being charged.

Day of the Unborn Child organizer Paul Hanrahan wrote on the event’s Facebook page on Thursday that police had contacted the group.

Hundreds of protesters will descend on St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Sunday for the annual ‘Day of the Unborn Child’ rally (pictured last year)

Anti-abortion advocates seen at a rally outside the New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney in 2019

Anti-abortion advocates seen at a rally outside the New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney in 2019

“The police have contacted us and [said] they are particularly concerned, especially after the clashes between the ‘rainbow rights’ group and hundreds of counter-demonstrators last night outside a Mark Latham event in Belfield Parish, as well as events in Hyde Park last weekend,’ he said.

‘[Police] have assured us the safety of our group and our right to hold our event is their primary concern, and they will do everything they can to ensure that.

“We are not there to attack protesters, but to bear our cross.”

“We will follow all reasonable directions from the police to ensure that this day is a peaceful and effective witness to the humanity of unborn children.”

It is clear that the Day of the Unborn Child has been around for at least 20 years.

The concerns come after shocking footage emerged earlier this week showing a woman being beaten during a “peaceful” protest outside the city. St Michael’s Church in Belfield in Sydney’s inner west.

One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham was scheduled to address about 500 people.

Protesters at an earlier anti-abortion rally in Hyde Park, Sydney

Protesters at an earlier anti-abortion rally in Hyde Park, Sydney

Riot police were called after more than 500 people turned up to protest outside St Michael's Church in Belfield.  Photo: Facebook

Riot police were called after more than 500 people turned up to protest outside St Michael’s Church in Belfield. Photo: Facebook

One Nation MP Mark Latham was invited to speak on religious freedoms.  Photo: Facebook

One Nation MP Mark Latham was invited to speak on religious freedoms. Photo: Facebook

In the video uploaded to social media, an activist can be heard calling for police to “please get out of here” shortly before a woman is violently hit on the back of the head by a man.

The woman screams before falling into another person.

Police claim glass bottles and other projectiles were thrown at officers.

“At this stage we believe it was water bottles and some rocks that were thrown,” Chief Inspector Sheridan Waldau said.

“This was nothing but a violent confrontation.”

Police say a male officer sustained an injury to his hand during the scuffle. He was taken to Canterbury Hospital in stable condition.

Three men – ages 34, 41 and 41 – were charged after the incident and will appear in court next month.

Police say stones were thrown and a male officer injured his hand.  Photo: Facebook

Police say stones were thrown and a male officer injured his hand. Photo: Facebook

Last weekend, hundreds turned out in Melbourne to support and protest visiting British anti-transgender campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshul.

The protest was widely criticized after a group of about 30 male neo-Nazi protesters dressed in black gave the Nazi salute on the steps of the Victorian Parliament.

On the same day in Sydney, about 100 people took part in a counter rally in Queen’s Square along with the pro-LGBTQI+ Community Action for Rainbow Rights group.