Sydney's Black Lives Matter protest is BANNED in shock 11th-hour court decision after warnings it could spark a COVID-19 outbreak - but thousands have vowed to ignore the law tomorrow
- The Black Lives Matter protest due to be held in Sydney has been banned
- The NSW government proposed an injunction to have it cancelled on Friday
- State premiers and prime minister urged people not to attend the protests
- Thousands were expected to protest against police brutality across Australia
- It comes after the death of unarmed African American George Floyd on May 25
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney has been controversially banned at the 11th hour after a judge ruled it didn't comply with coronavirus social distancing rules.
The decision comes after the NSW government proposed an injunction to have the protest called off in fears it could lead to another outbreak of the killer virus.
It is likely to cause fury among the 10,000 or so protesters who were due to attend the rally in Sydney's CBD on Saturday afternoon, starting at Town Hall at 3pm.
Across Australia, thousands are expected to to protest over the weekend, as similar marches continue across the world following the death of George Floyd.
Despite the announcement, thousands of Australian activists have vowed to flout social distancing rules and flood into Sydney regardless of the decision.
Protestors are seen waiting outside the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon (pictured) waiting to hear if the Black Lives Matter protest would be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions
The matter was put to the NSW Supreme Court on Friday with protesters anxiously waiting outside to hear the verdict.
People were seen carrying signs and the Aboriginal flag, demanding the protest go on.
But upon delivering his verdict, Justice Desmond Fagan said it would be unfair to let the protest go ahead given the sacrifices made by millions of Australians to abide by coronavirus restrictions.
'I cannot accept that these proposals ... should take the place of the public health order which applies to all citizens,' he said.
Justice Fagan said he appreciated the issue, and that the protest it was designed to be concurrent with similar events in other countries.
'I don't diminish the importance of the issues and no one would deny them in normal circumstances,' he said.
Thousands of protesters are planning to break COVID-19 restrictions to march in support of the Black Lives Matter movement this weekend (pictured protesters in Sydney on Tuesday)
A protester is seen outside Sydney's Supreme Court on Friday (pictured) waiting on the judge's decision
'No one denies them that but we're talking about a situation of a health crisis.
'Everyone has given up a lot in order to defeat the disease on the basis that this is best advice health officials have given us,' he said.
Since Mr Floyd's death, which has been ruled a homicide, protests and riots have erupted across the world and sparked a social media movement to end racial inequality.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian previously gave Saturday's protest the greenlight, but changed her mind amid fears it could lead to another coronavirus outbreak.
'If people had made the decision to express their views strongly in a COVID-19 safe way, which is the comments we made yesterday and the comments the day before, that would have been acceptable within the health orders but that is not the case,' she said.
Marches are expected across Australia over the weekend to show support for Indigenous Australians and protest against police brutality
Ms Berejiklian said under current restrictions only 500 can join together in public gatherings.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said they had been monitoring the situation.
'I spoke to the premier this morning and said on the basis of that, the only option was for the protesters to cease their wish to protest, or for us to take the matter to the Supreme Court,' he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison simply told people to 'not go'.
'Our message is very clear, that the health risks of gathering in such large numbers and the risks of people coming into close proximity are real,' he said.
'It is important for people to have the right to protest… but with those liberties comes great responsibility for individuals.
'Let's not misuse that liberty. Let's respect it.'
Health Minister Greg Hunt also weighed in saying it wasn't the right time, and would put the elderly and vulnerable at risk.
Dakota Gotty, 21, (pictured) says she will attend the protest as she has experienced racism firsthand
Protestors are seen wearing face masks outside the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon (pictured)
'The right to protest is fundamental,' he said on Friday.
'The means of coming together and risking the spread of COVID-19 is something we say to people, “Please think again. Please do not do this".'
'Exercise your compassion. Express yourself. But do it in a way which is safe, sound and respectful of our most vulnerable Australians.'
'There will be a time, there's always - always - a time for protest, but it is not at this moment,' he said.
Those who are planning to attend the protests say they are aware of the risks but the the movement is too important to miss.
Dakota Gotty, 21, told Daily Mail Australia the protests are very personal for as she has experienced racism first hand.
Ms Gotty lives in Sydney but is from New Zealand, she is of Maori descent.
She said herself and her family members have been discriminated against because of the colour of their skin.
'Just because we have different coloured skin doesn't mean we should be treated differently,' she said.
Ms Gotty said she was planning on going to the Sydney rally and hoped others would join her.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department on Monday May 25 after an officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes while making an arrest.
Protesters participate in a Black Lives Matter rally, following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Sydney on Tuesday
