Man to take NSW Police to court claiming he was assaulted at protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog
The man at the centre of one of the most-watched clips from Sydney's Town Hall protest in February says he will take police to court as a result of the incident.
Finance worker Derek Jones suffered broken ribs when he and his wife joined the protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
"I've got my hands up in a universal sign of, you know, I surrender," Jones said, adding that his attention was to protest peacefully.
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Derek Jones suffered broken ribs following the violent clashes. Supplied
"One [police officer] was trying to punch me in my face and chest, and another came in from the side and was punching me in the ribs."
Jones' wife was with him when the violence escalated.
"When I see her, and footage of her, I do get upset about that," he said.
The 56-year-old was nursing broken ribs on the way home when he learned how viral the moment had become.
"Immediately, there were videos of me being bashed," he said.
Unlike others there, Derek wasn't charged. He has now launched an injury claim as well as a push for answers.
"It's a judicial review, so it's like an appeal of a government decision," Derek's lawyer, Mark Davis, said.
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Derek Jones is now taking NSW Police to court. Nine
"It's a very rare thing, it's not used very often.
"We don't think those police officers are inherently violent people. We believe they were acting on orders.
"So uniquely Derek's action is not about money, it's about information."
The actions of all police that night are already subject to an inquiry by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission but Davis also wants a criminal investigation into the individual officers involved in his confrontation.
NSW Police declined to comment due to the ongoing LECC inquiry.
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