Police have asked for cooperation as they reveal they will be carrying long-arm rifles as Sydney activists prepare to take to the streets this weekend, despite a city-wide ban on protests still in place.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said police "understand and empathise" that it is a globally volatile time at the moment and will work beside people who wish to take to the streets to exercise their free speech.
"We are a very multicultural society," he said.
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"We're not a political organisation, NSW Police.
"We facilitated about a thousand protests in the CBD in Sydney last year.
"Do the right thing, listen to us, work with us, you'll be able to have your public assembly.
"No doubt you'll get the media attention that you want."
One of the protests set to take to the streets tomorrow is a repeal of the NSW government's anti-protest laws, as well as a rebuttal of the prime minister's invitation for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to visit Australia.
Another is a march calling for a new corruption inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody, slated for January 18.
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McKenna said NSW Police are not accepting Form 1 protests at this stage.
"Form 1s give people protection from the Summary Offences Act," he said.
"It means that people can't be prosecuted for impeding vehicles, blocking roadways, people on the footpaths, those sorts of things."
People are still able to gather in places such as parks that do not impede other people and vehicles, however, a strong police presence will be in place.
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"At the end of the day, it is all about public safety for us," McKenna said.
"It's also understanding we've just come off the back of the most horrific terrorist incident that Australia has ever seen.
"There may well be police with long arms just because of the current threat environment we are in."
McKenna said the carrying of long-arm rifles is due to a general risk, rather than the risk the protests themselves may carry.
"I think the community is getting more and more used to seeing them," he said.
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