Venezuela strike: Protesters urged to reconsider planned ‘Hands off’ protests slammed as ‘unauthorised’ by NSW Police
A snap demonstration in Sydney protesting the US attack on Venezuela is unauthorised, police say, with officers urging people to reconsider attending.
On Saturday, the US confirmed it had conducted a “large scale strike” across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during which it had captured the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
US President Donald Trump has accused Mr Maduro of being “the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States”.
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In response, nationwide “emergency” protests have been planned in Australia, with protest flyers circulating on social media.
The demonstrations, organised by Red Spark and the Latin American Solidarity Network, are due to be held across Australia’s major capitals from 5pm on Sunday to oppose the US’ actions in Venezuela.
Social media posts outline protesters key demands: the US taking its “hands off” Venezuela and an immediate condemnation of the US government’s actions from Anthony Albanese.
“Trump and US imperialism must be stopped,” a post sharing the flyers read.
However, public demonstrations have been banned in Sydney since mid-December, when NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon exercised new powers prescribed after the Bondi Beach terror attack.
NSW Police have also confirmed the planned protest at Town Hall is not authorised since the organisers have not lodged a Form 1 request.
Form 1s, when not challenged by police, can provide legal protections to protesters from charges like unlawful assembly.
“There has been no lodgement of a Form 1 by the organisers of this assembly,” a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement.
“On 24 December 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.”
NSW Police have urged anyone planning to attend the protest to reconsider.
“The NSW Police Force will have a large presence throughout the Sydney metropolitan area on 4 January 2026 and will be present at Town Hall during the afternoon and evening to monitor and police this potential assembly,” the spokesperson said.
