Red ratbags march, anti-communists arrested for chanting “USA”
Those signs were professionally made very quick, not just in Australia….
Hundreds of demonstrators red ratbags have taken to the streets across Australia to condemn the United States’ actions in Venezuela, despite clear warnings from police that the rally was not authorised.
Protesters defy police warnings as ‘Hands Off Venezuela’ rallies sweep Australian cities
Police made multiple arrests at an unauthorised Sydney protest against the United States’ actions in Venezuela.
Police arrested three people during an unauthorised protest outside Sydney Town Hall on Sunday evening, where activists rallied against US strikes on Venezuela and the detention of its president, Nicolas Maduro.
NSW Police arrested a 53-year-old woman for wearing a shirt displaying the phrase “globalise the intifada”, according to the Daily Telegraph.
NSW Police said she was “arrested for wearing a shirt displaying offensive messaging” and taken to Day Street Police Station before being released without charge.
The arrest came as the NSW government moves to outlaw the phrase as part of a broader crackdown on antisemitism following the Bondi terror attack.
Premier Chris Minns has previously vowed to ban the slogan, describing it as “hateful, violent rhetoric”.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, were also arrested during the demonstration for breaching the peace.
Both were released without charge after the protest concluded.
One of those detained was activist Drew Pavlou, who was among an estimated 40 counter-protesters at Town Hall.
After his release, he posted on X that he had been “arrested for holding an anti-Communist sign”, adding that he had chanted “USA” as police escorted him away.
About 250 people attended the Sydney rally, which NSW Police had earlier declared an unauthorised public assembly after organisers failed to apply for approval.
A police helicopter circled overhead while more than 30 officers deployed to monitor the crowd.
Public assemblies remain restricted across metropolitan Sydney under a declaration issued by Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, meaning participants in unauthorised gatherings are not afforded for the usual legal protections.
Despite the warnings, demonstrators pressed ahead, chanting slogans including “Hands off Venezuela”, “Trump out of Venezuela” and “Penny Wong, reject Trump’s lies, rebuild Venezuelan ties”.
Several speakers called on the federal government to abandon its alliance with Washington, urging Australia to tear up AUKUS agreements in response to the US intervention in Venezuela.
A “letter of solidarity” linked to the event was signed by more than 20 organisations, including the Communist Party of Australia.
The Sydney rally was one of five held across Australian capital cities on Sunday.
A significant police presence was also visible at a separate rally in Brisbane, where demonstrators with opposing views appeared to confront one another.
Some protesters there carried signs backing the deposed Venezuelan leader.
Melbourne also saw a turnout, with demonstrators displaying placards declaring “Trump is a terrorist” and “know your parasites”, including caricatures of the US president.
Counter-protesters outnumbered members of Brisbane’s Venezuelan community when demonstrations unfolded in the inner city.
Police stepped in after tensions escalated into verbal clashes and physical confrontations between the groups.
The rallies were organised by activist groups Red Spark and the Latin American Solidarity Network, with events scheduled across major capitals from 5pm on Sunday.
Organisers used social media to outline their demands, including an end to US involvement in Venezuela and a public condemnation of Washington’s actions by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Trump and US imperialism must be stopped,” one post promoting the rallies said.
NSW Police confirmed ahead of the Sydney protest that organisers had failed to lodge the required Form 1 application, which can provide limited legal protections for public assemblies if not challenged by authorities.
“There has been no lodgement of a Form 1 by the organisers of this assembly,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“On December 24, 2025, the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force issued a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration under the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002.
“This declaration remains in force and operates to restrict the authorisation of public assemblies within the Sydney metropolitan region.
“As a result, any assembly planned in support of Venezuela is not authorised and without this authorisation the event is not legally protected as an authorised assembly.”
Police urged members of the public to reconsider attending the gathering, warning officers would be deployed across the city.