NSW’s prime police officer has urged mourners and protesters to be respectful to one another throughout Cardinal George Pell’s funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral as we speak.
Hundreds of individuals are anticipated to collect in central Sydney this morning.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.Credit score:Rhett Wyman
A requiem mass will happen for Pell – Australia’s most senior and controversial Catholic cleric – from 11am AEDT earlier than his physique is laid to relaxation within the cathedral crypt.
Protesters will likely be allowed to march on surrounding streets, after NSW Police yesterday withdrew a court docket problem in opposition to the “Pell go to hell” protest organised by marketing campaign group Neighborhood Motion for Rainbow Rights.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb mentioned the route agreed to by police and organisers meant protesters would be capable of march close by, however not intersect with mourners on the cathedral.
“We actually ask that anybody attending as we speak deal with one another with respect. There’ll be mourners and protesters of various varieties,” Webb advised Sydney-based radio station 2GB.
“There’s actually a proper to freedom of speech, and we respect that, however they should respect the regulation.
“It’s extremely charged and emotional for individuals on each side, and all sides, however we simply ask that they deal with one another with respect as we speak, observe the principles, and hopefully nobody will get arrested.”
