Western Australia's police force has issued a stern warning to activists planning an unauthorised protest in Perth's central business district, following a controversial United States military operation in Venezuela.
Protest Planned for US Consulate
The Socialist Alliance WA's 'Hands Off Venezuela' committee has called for a rally outside the United States Consulate in Perth on Monday evening. The group aims to express its fury over what it labels an "absolutely outrageous" American attack on the South American nation over the weekend.
The US government has confirmed it carried out a large-scale military strike in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. During this operation, the country's President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured.
Police Stance and Legal Requirements
A spokeswoman for the WA Police Force stated that while they respect the right to peaceful protest, any demonstration must be conducted lawfully. "The WA Police Force respects the right of individuals to peacefully protest and express their views, as long as that protest activity is conducted in a lawful manner," she said.
She emphasised that officers would intervene only if an event became unlawful or posed a risk to public safety. The police also clarified that any protest in Western Australia requires the relevant approvals, including permits for road closures from the local council and Main Roads. According to The West Australian, the organisers of Monday's event have not applied for such a permit.
Organisers Condemn US Actions
Barry Healy, a member of the Hands Off Venezuela committee, condemned the US actions. "We're calling on the United States to get its claws out of Latin America," Mr Healy declared. He described a growing sense of public revulsion towards the operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.
Mr Healy argued that the intervention sets a perilous international precedent and called for a stronger response from the Australian Government. "It's not a matter of just being meek and mild, the Australian Government has actually got to call the American Government to order on this," he stated.
This planned gathering in Perth follows a series of similar demonstrations across Australia on Sunday. In Sydney, three people were arrested after protesters defied police orders. Hundreds had gathered outside Town Hall despite a ban on public demonstrations instituted after last month's terror attack at Bondi Beach.
The US action against Venezuela is based on a sprawling indictment filed in a US District Court. It alleges that President Maduro and other Venezuelan leaders abused their power to engage in weapons and drug trafficking over decades. President Trump has reportedly described the Caracas strike as a model for future operations in other South American countries, as Maduro awaits his first court appearance in New York.
