Communities across the diversity of Sydney condemn sending mounted police into southwest Sydney

Sydney Alliance condemns the NSW government’s decision to send 100 mounted police officers to southwest Sydney to enforce lockdown restrictions. 

Mary Waterford AM, Chair of Sydney Alliance, said, “A public health response should be led by community and health professionals, not police.” 

 “Sydney Alliance represents Sydney-siders from across the diversity of our city. We are united in our outrage that the NSW government is approaching Sydney-siders in radically different ways depending on where they live. While people in the Eastern Suburbs or the Northern Beaches were given messages “to stay home”, people in Western Sydney are met with disproportionate policing,” Ms Waterford AM added.  

“The NSW government needs to implement a public health strategy that takes care of every person, including low-income and migrant communities in southwest Sydney.” 

“Many migrants in this area have been persecuted in their home country and many are already disproportionately targetted by police. This punitive response is not helpful in the longer-term building of community relations and will also not help prevent the spread of Covid."

"As the government locks down Sydney to keep us all safe from the coronavirus pandemic, we call on them to have a fair and consistent approach across our city. Our government should always prioritise engaging and educating communities over excessive policing and a punitive response.”

Mary Waterford AM will be available for interview. Sydney Alliance can also connect you to local residents in the area.

For further information and to connect with Mary, contact:  

Sawsan Alfayadh, Sydney Alliance
0447 973 149
salfayadh@sydneyalliance.org.au

Image taken prior to the latest outbreak of Covid-19 in our city.