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Violent scuffles have broken out between demonstrators and police at an unauthorised protest for transgender rights in Sydney.
- Scuffles broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd of protesters
- The proposed bill amends the NSW Education act to prohibit schools from teaching gender fluidity
- The legislation has been introduced by One Nation MP Mark Latham
Event organisers claim dozens have been arrested and fined after the protests ramped up when police attempted to disperse the crowd.
More than 300 people protested against a proposed anti-transgender law, despite the NSW Supreme Court ruling in favour of a police bid to shut it down to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Activists are marching in protest against an anti-transgender bill introduced to Parliament by One Nation's Mark Latham.
Under Mr Latham's proposed Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) 2020, teachers and counsellors could be disciplined for teaching "gender fluidity".
The legislation would amend the Education Act to ensure that schools "recognise that parents are primarily responsible for the development and formation of moral and ethical standards" in their children.
It would "prohibit schools, teachers and training course from teaching gender fluidity".
A number of people have sustained minor injuries after the tussle broke out when the crowd marched from Taylor Square to Hyde Park.
Yesterday, police won a court order prohibiting the rally over a risk to public health, but activists claimed the ban was nothing to do with COVID-19 and social-distancing safety.
April Holcombe, from rally organiser Community Action for Rainbow Rights, said thousands of dollars' worth of fines had been issued in protests to date, despite people being allowed to assemble on beaches, football stadiums and shopping centres.
"This has nothing to do with public health and everything to do with political suppression of democratic rights," she said.
Among the evidence presented in court yesterday, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Stacey Maloney said that at previous Sydney events, most attendees did not wear masks or social distance.
But under cross-examination, she also conceded no rally in Sydney during the pandemic has resulted in COVID-19 transmission.
NSW Police has been contacted for comment.