Hannah Thomas accuses police of “extreme violence and brutality”

HANNAH Thomas, the daughter of former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, claimed her interactions with New South Wales police have left her potentially without permanent vision in her right eye.

Speaking from her hospital bed, the former Greens candidate accused NSW police of “extreme violence and brutality” after sustaining injuries at an anti-Israel rally on Friday.

After being charged for not complying with police directions, Thomas posted on social media, claiming that she was engaged in a peaceful protest, reported Sky News Australia.

NSW Police had confirmed that Thomas was charged with “hinder or resist police officer” and “refuse or fail to comply with direction to disperse”.

Police said the 35-year-old was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice and will appear at the Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 12 August 2025.

Greens politicians have called for an independent investigation into the police response.

NSW Greens justice spokesperson Sue Higginson described the arrest as “brutal and excessive”.

According to reports in The Guardian, NSW premier, Chris Minns denied emboldening police to crack down on protesters at the pro-Palestine protest last week.

Hannah, who ran against the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in the Sydney seat of Grayndler at the federal election, accused Minns and the police minister, Yasmin Catley, of previously attempting to demonise protesters, particularly pro-Palestine protesters.

The police arrested and charged four other people on Friday aside from Thomas, including a 29-year-old woman and three men aged 24,29 and 41.

The police facts sheet for one of the protesters arrested on Friday alleged the person attended the protest outside SEC Plating for the purpose of obstructing “the manufacture of components which supposedly [were to] be used for F-35 fighter jets and other weapons”.

NSW police alleged the business in Belmore was surrounded by other businesses, homes and a place of worship. – June 30, 2025