Court to rule on legality of protest at Cardinal George Pell's Sydney funeral
The NSW Supreme Court is set to rule today on whether a planned protest outside late cardinal George Pell's Sydney funeral tomorrow is legal.
Sydney-based campaign group Community Action for Rainbow Rights had planned to march outside of St Mary's Cathedral in the city's CBD on Thursday but police will attempt to block any protesters over "safety" concerns.
"The NSW Police Force has received a Form 1 for a protest planned for Thursday 2 February in Sydney CBD, however, despite attempted negotiations with organisers, safety concerns associated with their proposed assembly cannot be adequately mitigated without amendments to the proposal," a police spokesperson said.
READ MORE: Cardinal George Pell dies in Rome aged 81
Pell, formerly Australia's highest-ranking Catholic and one of the most controversial figures in the country, died aged 81 earlier this month. AAP
"As such, the Commissioner will apply to the NSW Supreme Court to prohibit the assembly."
Police will seek an urgent order blocking the protest this morning.
The planned protest had attracted almost 400 attendees on the group's official Facebook event.
"We need everybody to come out and protest on Thursday," a statement on Community Action for Rainbow Rights' social media read.
"We can't let the police get away with denying us our right to protest (at the) funeral."
NSW Police said its "priority" was to ensure the safety of the public.
"(Police) recognise and support the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, however, the first priority is always the safety of the wider community," the spokesperson said.
Pell was jailed over child sexual abuse allegations, but always maintained his innocence and his convictions were later overturned. AAP
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Pell, formerly Australia's highest-ranking Catholic and one of the most controversial figures in the country, died in Rome aged 81 earlier this month after complications following hip replacement surgery.
He was jailed in 2019 over child sexual abuse allegations but always maintained his innocence.
Pell spent more than a year in jail before the High Court overturned the decision in 2020.
9news.com.au has contacted Community Action for Rainbow Rights for comment.
Pell will lie in state in Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral from 9.30am today.
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