VIDEO | A group of people attacked LGBTI activists outside a church in Sydney
Two men have been arrested after a crowd clashed with LGBTI activists outside a Sydney church, Australian police said. The LGBTI group said "hundreds of far-right thugs" attacked protesters outside a church event attended by right-wing politician Mark Latham.
Latham said the meeting was being held to discuss "religious freedom and parental rights". The incident comes days after clashes between pro and anti-transgender groups in Melbourne.
NSW Police Superintendent Sheridan Waldau said peaceful protesters were attacked by a "mob" of about 250 people outside a church in Belfield, south-west Sydney, on Tuesday night. Glass bottles and other objects were thrown at the officers, and a 38-year-old man was pushed to the ground and attacked, the police said.
Police were called to disperse the crowd and two men, aged 34 and 41, were arrested and charged with incitement to commit a crime, or common assault, they said. Waldau told reporters he expected more arrests Wednesday as police reviewed footage of the incident.
Latham, a member of the right-wing populist One People party, is an outspoken critic of teaching "gender diversity" in schools. He said the event was not organized by the party or him.