Two men have been charged after riot police were called to a church in south-west Sydney yesterday, where hundreds of people surrounded a small group protesting a speech by NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham.
LGBTQI+ group Community Action for Rainbow Rights claimed they were "attacked" and pelted with rocks and bottles by hundreds of men, which met them outside St Michael's Church in Belfield.
The group says about 15 of its members were there to peacefully protest an "anti-trans" speech by Mr Latham.
It also claims punches were thrown at members as they were "surrounded by a mob 30 times their size".
Superintendent Sheridan Waldau, from NSW Police, said peaceful protesters were rushed by a "mob" of about 250 people who had attended the church event.
Superintendent Waldau expected further charges to be laid today as investigators review footage of the incident.
"This was a very violent confrontation that occurred at an event which was supposed to be a peaceful protest ... this incident will not be tolerated, this type of violence will not be tolerated by New South Wales Police," she said.
Officers were eventually able to remove the protesters in a vehicle.
Mr Latham took to social media after the incident to condemn the violence, saying it was unacceptable.
The former federal Labor leader said he was a guest speaker at an event in the church hall, where he discussed religious freedom, parental rights, education and "protecting schools from Alphabet Activism and lawfare".
"I didn't see what happened on the front street but I sincerely convey my best wishes to those injured and thank the police officers involved for their work," he said.
"No-one should take the law into their own hands. Violence at political events is wrong."
Mr Latham also said police had advised against him speaking at the event, which he framed as a "denial of democracy".
Superintendent Waldau said Mr Latham was notified about the violent incident on Margaret Street, and decided to proceed with his speech.
About 500 people were estimated to have attended the church event, at which Mr Latham was one of three guest speakers.
He claimed on Nine Radio this morning some "parishioners took exception" to information that protesters were set to block access to the church.
"And they took things into their own hands, which was wrong."
NSW Police said in a statement officers attended a public order incident at the church on Margaret Street at 7pm on Tuesday, and found hundreds of people on the road.
It is alleged glass bottles and other projectiles were thrown at police, with one officer sustaining a hand injury.
A 38-year-old man was allegedly pushed to the ground and assaulted, police say.
Superintendent Waldau said police believed projectiles were thrown by members of the mob.
"The protest group appeared to be peaceful and they were standing and being shielded by the police," she said.
"So all the projectiles appear to come from the crowd that were at the event."
Premier Dominic Perrottet condemned the incident as "disgraceful".
"There is no place for violence in our state, full stop," he said.
"Particularly, though, during election periods there should be a sense of respect and tolerance toward people with different views.
"We can have different opinions, that is a good thing in our society that we should celebrate."
Alex, who lives in Margaret Street, told ABC Radio Sydney he watched the incident unfold and said events "escalated pretty quickly".
"Just all these cars turning up, people going down the street," he said.
"It seemed to go a bit violent.
"Screaming and shouting, and a massive police response. You had police officers running down the street with batons."
Two men, aged 34 and 41, were arrested and charged with encouraging the commission of crimes and common assault respectively.
The 34-year-old was granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on April 11.
The second man charged was given a notice to attend the same court on May 30.
