NSW Police have defended the use of capsicum spray against Black Lives Matter protesters, insisting cops "aren't punching bags" as Australians continue to call for action against indigenous deaths in custody.
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Former world boxing champ Sakio Bika and other fighters held a peaceful vigil on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on Monday, in solidarity with George Floyd and the BLM cause.
"We are coming together in solidarity and support after George Floyd was killed in the United States," the 41-year-old Bika told AAP.
The group, which included Australian former world champions Lovemore N'Dou and Billy Dib, wore black t-shirts with the words "hands up" and "I can't breathe" printed on them.
N'Dou, a South African-born boxer-turned-solicitor, said it was important for fighters to stand up against injustice.
"Too many indigenous people die in custody so we should take a stand against police brutality," the 49-year-old told AAP on Monday.
"I'm not saying all police are bad people - there are some very good cops out there who put their lives on the line every day.
"But there are bad apples ... so the government needs to do something about the system."
Dib, who held the IBF featherweight title from 2011 to 2013 and the IBO super-featherweight title in 2008, urged people from all backgrounds to support Black Lives Matter.
"My mother is Palestinian - she comes from an oppressed country," the 34-year-old told AAP on Monday.
"This kind of thing happens in Palestine all the time as well. We need to stand up together as one and show solidarity to combat injustice."
Some 20,000 people on Saturday joined a Black Lives Matter march in Sydney after the Court of Appeal deemed it lawful less than 15 minutes before its commencement.
NSW Police Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon on Sunday said the protest was mostly peaceful but expressed disappointment in the "aggressive" actions of some after the rally.
"The fact there were a number of groups of individuals after the protest that chose to act unlawfully is disappointing to us," Mr Lanyon told reporters.
"Police aren't punching bags and don't deserve to have this happen."
Protesters clashed briefly with police at Central Station on Saturday evening and capsicum spray was used.
A 21-year-old man was arrested and charged for allegedly resisting arrest and assaulting two police officers.
The Mt Druitt man allegedly threw a water bottle at a male senior constable before throwing another item at a male constable, hitting him in the chest.
He is expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on August 27.
Inquiries are continuing into the incident.
Australian Associated Press
