Police issue strong warning on protests; 'freedom leader' to face court in September

Brady Gunn, a 45-year-old Port Macquarie man, was arrested by police at a home in Oatley on July 31 after allegedly travelling on trains outside his local government area without a reasonable excuse.

He was charged at Kogarah Police Station for breaching a public health order and not wearing a fitted face covering in a public transport waiting area.

He appeared in Parramatta Local Court on August 1 where the magistrate granted conditional bail and banned Mr Gunn from using social media platforms.

Mr Gunn will reappear in Sydney's Downing Centre Court for mention on September 10.

Police will allege in court that Mr Gunn was involved in organising an unauthorised protest.

The 'freedom march' brought together thousands of protestors for a mass rally along the streets of Sydney in July objecting to the state's lockdown laws.

Mr Gunn is named on Facebook as the leader of the movement A Stand In The Park.

A Stand In The Park, which widely promoted the Sydney march, shared numerous livestreams from the rally to an online audience of more than 41,000 followers.

A Stand In the Park gatherings have been held regularly in locations across the country. The groups meet every Sunday between 10am and 11am at a local park in their communities.

Senior police have issued a strong warning to anyone planning to attend any unauthorised protests planned for this weekend that they will face the full force of the law.

Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Metropolitan Field Operations, was joined by Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott to put would-be protesters on notice.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the activities of a few could have long-lasting and detrimental impacts to all Sydneysiders.

"The overwhelming majority of people in NSW are doing their bit to turn the COVID case numbers in the right direction and this proposed protest would undermine all that work," Mr Elliott said.

"We're temporarily living with restrictions that we all want to see lifted, but the mass gathering of a group of idiots could mean that day moves further into the future.

"I have complete confidence in the work police are doing within Operation Stay at Home and the operational plans for the weekend should reassure the wider community that officers are at the ready to take swift action against anyone not complying with the public health orders," he said.

As the NSW Police Force continues to monitor online and other commentary in relation to protest activity this weekend, preparations are well underway for a highly visible and mobile police operation to disrupt activities and prevent mass gatherings anywhere in the state.