A controversial right wing activist has clashed with police while trying to visit Australia’s largest mosque.
Canadian activist Lauren Southern, who is in the midst of an Australian speaking tour, filmed herself taking to the streets of Sydney on Friday.
In a video posted to YouTube titled ‘Thrown Out Of Sydney No Go Zone’, Southern travelled to Lakemba in the city’s south-west.
Right wing activist Lauren Southern (pictured right) has posted a new video to her YouTube claiming she was stopped from entering a certain area of Sydney before verbally clashing with NSW Police Inspector Rick Agius (pictured left)
In the video , titled ‘Thrown Out Of Sydney No Go Zone’, Southern travels to Lakemba, 15km south west of Sydney
Southern opened the video saying she had heard about the suburb being referred to as a ‘very high Muslim population’ area and wanted to ‘check it out’.
‘I think in Australia the no go areas wouldn’t be as bad as in Europe because they’ve got less mass immigration but I’ve heard some pretty bizarre stories about riots, attacks,’ she said.
‘So I want to see what is actually going on there, is this actually a no go zone or is it integrating perfectly. The only way I get to know these things is if I go on the ground and check it out.’
Shortly after arriving in Lakemba Southern was approached by Inspector Rick Agius from NSW Police who asked her not to go to the local Mosque.
Miss Southern opened the video saying she had heard about the suburb being referred to as a ‘very high Muslim population’ area and wanted to ‘check it out’
After questioning Southern on her motives for being in the area Inspector Agius said she had already walked the streets with no issues, to which Southern credited her security and the police presence.
‘The local community walk around here without any fear. I walk around without fear,’ Inspector Agius said.
Southern then asked whether as a critic of Islam could she also be safe on the streets alone.
Inspector Agius told Southern that he believed her attending the Lakemba Mosque or even passing by was cause for concern.
‘I’m asking you not to attend there. I have a fear that you may create an imminent breach of the peace. Do you understand that? Do you understand that?’ he said.
Insp Agius then tells Southern that he believes her attending the Lakemba Mosque or even passing by was cause for concern
Southern asked the police officer repeatedly if she had the ‘legal right’ to walk down the street outside the Mosque to which Inspector Agius tried to reiterate his concern.
‘I’m asking you to have a lawful reason to attend in front of the mosque,’ he said.
Southern said as a journalist she was documenting the area including outside the Mosque and finally Inspector Agius was forced to concede some ground.
‘Alright, you walk past the mosque, you do not engage, you do not cause any problems. I’ve given you a warning that I fear you may cause an imminent breach of the peace,’ he said.
By the close of the video it would seem Southern’s run in with police had an impact on her views of the suburb as she labelled Lakemba as a ‘mono-culture’
‘If you cause an imminent breach of the peace I may have to take lawful action. Do you understand that?’
By the close of the video it would seem Southern’s run in with police had an impact on her views of the suburb as she labelled Lakemba as a ‘mono-culture’.
Southern has already caused a stir during her speaking tour after protesters at her Melbourne talk caused parts of the Hume Highway to be closed.
Southern has already caused a stir during her speaking tour after protesters at her Melbourne talk caused parts of the Hume Highway to be closed
Violent protesters also threw rocks at a bus arriving with ticket holders.
A protester yelling ‘I love Muslims’ stormed the stage and was tackled by security at the event after throwing herself at the speaker in front of the auditorium.
Her Sydney talk is scheduled to take place on Saturday before she heads to Brisbane for a Sunday talk.