ALEX BLOG

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Pop star Chappell Roan said on Monday she was no longer represented by the talent agency led ​by Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman, who has faced criticism ‌for flirtatious email exchanges with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell more than 20 years ago.

Wasserman has ‌apologized for communicating with Maxwell, after the publication of a series of personal emails between the two.

New files related to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell's former boyfriend, published by the U.S. Justice Department late last month, included flirtatious email ⁠exchanges between Wasserman, who was ‌married at the time, and Maxwell dating from 2003.

"As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency ‍led by Casey Wasserman," Roan said on Instagram.

"Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in ​our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust."

Wasserman, who is a sports ‌and entertainment executive, has denied having a personal or business relationship with Epstein. In his apology for his association with Maxwell, he said that relation came before her or Epstein's crimes were revealed.

The talent agency had no immediate comment on Monday.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2021 by ⁠a jury in New York on charges ​including sex trafficking of a minor.

Maxwell was arrested ​in 2020 after being accused by federal prosecutors of recruiting and grooming girls for sexual encounters with Epstein between 1994 and 2004.

The U.S. ‍Justice Department's release ⁠of millions of internal documents related to Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex offender's ties to many prominent people - both before and after ⁠he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl. His 2019 death ‌in a Manhattan jail cell was ruled a suicide.

(Reporting by Kanishka ‌Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry)

Monday isa big dayin the long-running — and still very much not-over — saga ofthe Jeffrey Epstein files.

That's because we could begin to learn more about the Justice Department'scontroversial redactions, when lawmakers have an opportunity to review theunredactedfiles.

One prominent House Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, said Monday afternoon that he had reviewed the unredacted documents and saw "tons of completely unnecessary redactions."

"I saw the names of lots of people who were redacted for mysterious or baffling or inscrutable reasons," Raskin said.

As millions of documents have trickled out and been sorted through, one of the major subplots is what DOJ chose to redact. Its redaction decisions in many caseswent well beyondwhat the legislation passed by Congress called for.

Perhaps no redactions have garnered more attention than the suspected co-conspirators who are described in internal Justice Department documents and others who exchanged eyebrow-raising emails with Epstein.

The latter instances include emails that read as if people were evaluating and even scouting women or girls for Epstein. In other cases, they reference questionable behavior.

The redactions have raised concerns among Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who led the charge on the bill that forced the Trump administration to release the Epstein files. They've also raised concerns among Epstein's survivors. Onetold CNNthat DOJ was "shielding predators." Another said DOJ has "protected the Epstein class with blanket redactions."

But on Monday, lawmakers, including Massie and Khanna, will have the chance to evaluate the redactions and possibly raise any concerns when the Justice Department begins allowing themto review the unredacted files.

CNNwrote about some of these emailslast week. The Justice Department suggested any such redactions were women or girls who might have been victims at one point.

"In many instances, as it has been well documented publicly, those who were originally victims became participants and co-conspirators," a DOJ official told CNN. "We did not redact any names of men, only female victims." FBI and law enforcement names were also redacted, the DOJ official said.

So which documents are at issue? Below are some noteworthy examples.

'Your littlest girl was a little naughty'

In a2014 email, a sender whose name is redacted emails Epstein: "Thank you for a fun night… Your littlest girl was a little naughty."

'I found at least 3 very good young poor …'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I found at least 3 very good young poor but we was so tired."

The sender then suggests the subject of the email was women or girls: "Meet this one, not the beauty queen but we both likes her a lot."

'She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :)'

In a2017 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein, "I met [REDACTED] today. She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :) So now I should send you her type of candidates only ?"

"Femme miniature" in French literally translates to small woman. "Lolita from Nabokov" refers to Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel about a middle-aged man who falls in love with a 12-year-old girl and sexually abuses her. (Epstein's airplane has often been dubbed the "Lolita Express" because of allegations that it was used to exploit girls.)

The draft indictment

Some of the biggest news to come out of the latest document dump was that we finally laid eyes ona draft indictmentof Epstein from the 2000s, before he escaped with a sweetheart deal.

The draft indictment is particularly notable because it includes three co-conspirators that prosecutors apparently considered charging. The co-conspirators are described as being employed by Epstein, but their names are redacted.

A chart with other suspects redacted

The documents also includea chart, apparently from law enforcement, that shows Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and his longtime assistant Lesley Groff (whose first name is misspelled as "Leslie"). Groff's lawyer told CNN his client had no comment.

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But redacted are three employees and a "girlfriend" of Epstein's whom authorities thought might be recruiting for Epstein and in some cases otherwise participating in crimes.

It says of one of them: "Unknown if she was directly responsible for recruiting girls but at least 10 girls state she is the direct point of contact for scheduling his massage appointments."

Other such charts featuresimilar redactions.

Sending Epstein details of women and their appearances

In a2017 email, a redacted person emails Epstein detailed information about women to be considered for an unspecified opportunity.

One is described as wanting "the job badly. But not as pretty as other applicants." Another is labeled "not very young but beautiful and diligent, well educated and simple, not ambitious."

'And this one is (i think) totally your girl.'

In oneextended 2015 email exchangebetween Epstein and a redacted interlocutor, Epstein asks, "any friends for jeffrey while you are recovering?"

The person responds by citing a close friend described as "Sweet girl. 20y. American." (Epstein responds that the person looks like the sender, suggesting the email included a photo.) The person later cites someone else: "She's australian, super cool, 23y, lot of fun ;)) (dark hair girl at picture) ."

The person later adds: "I'm always think about you when I'm meeting new girls." And then: "And this one is (i think) totally your girl. … Just medsaged her to check up."

'I loved the torture video'

In a2009 email, Epstein writes a brief email to a redacted recipient that includes the words, "where are you? are you ok I loved the torture video."

'New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo'

In a2013 email, a redacted sender from a modeling agency writes to Epstein: "New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo." The email appears to come with images attached. (CNN has reached out to the modeling agency.)

In other versions of the same email released by DOJ, the sender's affiliation with themodeling agency is redacted. Some versions of the email also included an "=" sign in place of the "1" – the files include many documents with "=" in place of characters – leading some to believe the email described a 9-year old. Butit did not.

'I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair'

In a2014 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I can't take it anymore!!!!!!! I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair."

'My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19.'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender writes an email that includes an image, but which appears as a broken image in the file that was released.

"My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19. Will meet when I am there," the sender says.

Epstein responds: "full name instagram?"

A photo of a woman in a SpaceX shirt

In a 2013 email, a redacted person sends Epstein an email with no text but that includes a photo of a female posing while wearing a SpaceX shirt. The person's face is blocked out.

An email about 14- and 15-year-old girls and 'reproductive age'

In a2015 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein about teenage girls.

"the key are the 14 to 15 year old girls—i am a sexual pervert because i say they are now of a reproductive age?" the sender says.

The sender adds: "being called a sexual pervert is no fun. less so if you have served time for the crime. as i have not—they are calling me one merely for not urging your death by beheading."

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces, but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.

California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill that was signed in September following the summer of high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles.

The Trump administrationfiled a lawsuitin November challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers who are facing harassment, doxing and violence and that they violated the constitution because the state is directly regulating the federal government.

Judge Christina Snyder said she issued the initial ruling because the mask ban as it was enacted did not also apply to state law enforcement authorities, discriminating against the federal government. The ruling could have national implications as states grapple with how to deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

It left open the possibility to future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if it applied to all law enforcement agencies, with Snyder writing "the Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks." The ruling will go into effect Feb. 19.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September banning some law enforcement officers fromwearing masks, neck gaiters, and other facial coverings. It was slated to go into effect Jan. 1 but was put on hold due to the lawsuit.

In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, it made exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize an operation. Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued this exemption was discriminatory against federal agents.

Newsom also signed into law a measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on the job, which was challenged by the federal government but upheld by the judge. In a statement, Newsom called the judge's decision a "a clear win for the rule of law."

California State Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the original bill to ban facial coverings, said Monday he would immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.

"ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability," Weiner said in a news release. "We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced."

At a Jan. 14 hearing, Snyder repeatedly asked the government's lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to explain why banning masks would impede the federal law enforcement in carrying out their duties, if officers rarely wore masks prior to 2025.

Davis cited claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that there has been a multifold increase in assaults and threats against federal officers. He also brought up an incident in Los Angeles where three women are being accused of livestreaming whilefollowing an ICE agenthome and posting the address on Instagram.

"There is real deterrence on the officer's safety and ability to perform their duties," Davis said.

Cameron Bell, California Department of Justice attorney, challenged his claims, saying there was no concrete evidence that federal agents can't perform their duties withoutfacial coverings.

Bell referenced declarations from U.S citizens who have been detained by federal agents but thought they were being kidnapped.

"It's obvious why these laws are in the public interest," Bell said.

The federal government also argued in legal briefs that allowing California's legislation could lead other states to be "emboldened to impose similar unconstitutional restraints."

Davis cited a statement from Newsom in July 2025during an interviewposted online where he discussed the mask ban bill, saying, "It appears that we don't have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities."

Los Angeles County supervisors voted in December to enact a local ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks that went into effect Jan. 8. However, the sheriff's department said it would not enforce the ordinance until after the court ruled on the statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department had also said it wouldn't enforce the mask ban.

Monday isa big dayin the long-running — and still very much not-over — saga ofthe Jeffrey Epstein files.

That's because we could begin to learn more about the Justice Department'scontroversial redactions, when lawmakers have an opportunity to review theunredactedfiles.

One prominent House Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, said Monday afternoon that he had reviewed the unredacted documents and saw "tons of completely unnecessary redactions."

"I saw the names of lots of people who were redacted for mysterious or baffling or inscrutable reasons," Raskin said.

As millions of documents have trickled out and been sorted through, one of the major subplots is what DOJ chose to redact. Its redaction decisions in many caseswent well beyondwhat the legislation passed by Congress called for.

Perhaps no redactions have garnered more attention than the suspected co-conspirators who are described in internal Justice Department documents and others who exchanged eyebrow-raising emails with Epstein.

The latter instances include emails that read as if people were evaluating and even scouting women or girls for Epstein. In other cases, they reference questionable behavior.

The redactions have raised concerns among Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who led the charge on the bill that forced the Trump administration to release the Epstein files. They've also raised concerns among Epstein's survivors. Onetold CNNthat DOJ was "shielding predators." Another said DOJ has "protected the Epstein class with blanket redactions."

But on Monday, lawmakers, including Massie and Khanna, will have the chance to evaluate the redactions and possibly raise any concerns when the Justice Department begins allowing themto review the unredacted files.

CNNwrote about some of these emailslast week. The Justice Department suggested any such redactions were women or girls who might have been victims at one point.

"In many instances, as it has been well documented publicly, those who were originally victims became participants and co-conspirators," a DOJ official told CNN. "We did not redact any names of men, only female victims." FBI and law enforcement names were also redacted, the DOJ official said.

So which documents are at issue? Below are some noteworthy examples.

'Your littlest girl was a little naughty'

In a2014 email, a sender whose name is redacted emails Epstein: "Thank you for a fun night… Your littlest girl was a little naughty."

'I found at least 3 very good young poor …'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I found at least 3 very good young poor but we was so tired."

The sender then suggests the subject of the email was women or girls: "Meet this one, not the beauty queen but we both likes her a lot."

'She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :)'

In a2017 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein, "I met [REDACTED] today. She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :) So now I should send you her type of candidates only ?"

"Femme miniature" in French literally translates to small woman. "Lolita from Nabokov" refers to Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel about a middle-aged man who falls in love with a 12-year-old girl and sexually abuses her. (Epstein's airplane has often been dubbed the "Lolita Express" because of allegations that it was used to exploit girls.)

The draft indictment

Some of the biggest news to come out of the latest document dump was that we finally laid eyes ona draft indictmentof Epstein from the 2000s, before he escaped with a sweetheart deal.

The draft indictment is particularly notable because it includes three co-conspirators that prosecutors apparently considered charging. The co-conspirators are described as being employed by Epstein, but their names are redacted.

A chart with other suspects redacted

The documents also includea chart, apparently from law enforcement, that shows Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and his longtime assistant Lesley Groff (whose first name is misspelled as "Leslie"). Groff's lawyer told CNN his client had no comment.

But redacted are three employees and a "girlfriend" of Epstein's whom authorities thought might be recruiting for Epstein and in some cases otherwise participating in crimes.

It says of one of them: "Unknown if she was directly responsible for recruiting girls but at least 10 girls state she is the direct point of contact for scheduling his massage appointments."

Other such charts featuresimilar redactions.

Sending Epstein details of women and their appearances

In a2017 email, a redacted person emails Epstein detailed information about women to be considered for an unspecified opportunity.

One is described as wanting "the job badly. But not as pretty as other applicants." Another is labeled "not very young but beautiful and diligent, well educated and simple, not ambitious."

'And this one is (i think) totally your girl.'

In oneextended 2015 email exchangebetween Epstein and a redacted interlocutor, Epstein asks, "any friends for jeffrey while you are recovering?"

The person responds by citing a close friend described as "Sweet girl. 20y. American." (Epstein responds that the person looks like the sender, suggesting the email included a photo.) The person later cites someone else: "She's australian, super cool, 23y, lot of fun ;)) (dark hair girl at picture) ."

The person later adds: "I'm always think about you when I'm meeting new girls." And then: "And this one is (i think) totally your girl. … Just medsaged her to check up."

'I loved the torture video'

In a2009 email, Epstein writes a brief email to a redacted recipient that includes the words, "where are you? are you ok I loved the torture video."

'New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo'

In a2013 email, a redacted sender from a modeling agency writes to Epstein: "New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo." The email appears to come with images attached. (CNN has reached out to the modeling agency.)

In other versions of the same email released by DOJ, the sender's affiliation with themodeling agency is redacted. Some versions of the email also included an "=" sign in place of the "1" – the files include many documents with "=" in place of characters – leading some to believe the email described a 9-year old. Butit did not.

'I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair'

In a2014 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I can't take it anymore!!!!!!! I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair."

'My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19.'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender writes an email that includes an image, but which appears as a broken image in the file that was released.

"My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19. Will meet when I am there," the sender says.

Epstein responds: "full name instagram?"

A photo of a woman in a SpaceX shirt

In a 2013 email, a redacted person sends Epstein an email with no text but that includes a photo of a female posing while wearing a SpaceX shirt. The person's face is blocked out.

An email about 14- and 15-year-old girls and 'reproductive age'

In a2015 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein about teenage girls.

"the key are the 14 to 15 year old girls—i am a sexual pervert because i say they are now of a reproductive age?" the sender says.

The sender adds: "being called a sexual pervert is no fun. less so if you have served time for the crime. as i have not—they are calling me one merely for not urging your death by beheading."

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces, but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.

California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill that was signed in September following the summer of high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles.

The Trump administrationfiled a lawsuitin November challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers who are facing harassment, doxing and violence and that they violated the constitution because the state is directly regulating the federal government.

Judge Christina Snyder said she issued the initial ruling because the mask ban as it was enacted did not also apply to state law enforcement authorities, discriminating against the federal government. The ruling could have national implications as states grapple with how to deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

It left open the possibility to future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if it applied to all law enforcement agencies, with Snyder writing "the Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks." The ruling will go into effect Feb. 19.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September banning some law enforcement officers fromwearing masks, neck gaiters, and other facial coverings. It was slated to go into effect Jan. 1 but was put on hold due to the lawsuit.

In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, it made exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment like N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize an operation. Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued this exemption was discriminatory against federal agents.

Newsom also signed into law a measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on the job, which was challenged by the federal government but upheld by the judge. In a statement, Newsom called the judge's decision a "a clear win for the rule of law."

California State Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the original bill to ban facial coverings, said Monday he would immediately introduce new legislation to include state police in the law.

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"ICE and Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and to insulate themselves from accountability," Weiner said in a news release. "We will ensure our mask ban can be enforced."

At a Jan. 14 hearing, Snyder repeatedly asked the government's lawyer, Tiberius Davis, to explain why banning masks would impede the federal law enforcement in carrying out their duties, if officers rarely wore masks prior to 2025.

Davis cited claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that there has been a multifold increase in assaults and threats against federal officers. He also brought up an incident in Los Angeles where three women are being accused of livestreaming whilefollowing an ICE agenthome and posting the address on Instagram.

"There is real deterrence on the officer's safety and ability to perform their duties," Davis said.

Cameron Bell, California Department of Justice attorney, challenged his claims, saying there was no concrete evidence that federal agents can't perform their duties withoutfacial coverings.

Bell referenced declarations from U.S citizens who have been detained by federal agents but thought they were being kidnapped.

"It's obvious why these laws are in the public interest," Bell said.

The federal government also argued in legal briefs that allowing California's legislation could lead other states to be "emboldened to impose similar unconstitutional restraints."

Davis cited a statement from Newsom in July 2025during an interviewposted online where he discussed the mask ban bill, saying, "It appears that we don't have the legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement authorities."

Los Angeles County supervisors voted in December to enact a local ordinance banning law enforcement from wearing masks that went into effect Jan. 8. However, the sheriff's department said it would not enforce the ordinance until after the court ruled on the statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department had also said it wouldn't enforce the mask ban.

Health officials in the nation's capital warned people who attended the National March for Life rally in January may have been exposed to measles.

DC Healthsaid three people infected with measles visited various locations in Washington between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2, including the Jan. 23 annual march to oppose abortion. The rally reportedly drew thousands of attendees including Vice PresidentJD Vance, House SpeakerMike Johnsonand other members of Congress.

Other potential measles exposure sites include major transit hubs like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Union Station as well as the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Children's National Hospital said in astatementthat a Virginia resident who was diagnosed with measles visited its emergency department on Feb. 2.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.

Dr. Oz:'Take the vaccine, please' amid measles outbreaks

Measles was eliminated in the United States by 2000 but has resurfaced in periodic outbreaks, mostly among people who are not vaccinated. There have been two new outbreaks and more than 730 confirmed cases of measles reported in 2026 as of Feb. 5,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

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March for Life: See photos from the anti-abortion march in Washington

Health officialsin Washington state onJan. 16 confirmed an outbreakconnected to a family traveling from South Carolina, wherea major outbreakhas been brewing. Los Angeles County public health officials recently confirmedthree measles cases involving people who had traveled internationally, including one who flew into Los Angeles International Airport and visited Disneyland Resort.

Those incidents come after measles cases reached the highest level seen in over three decades in 2025, according to CDC data. There were at least three deaths related to measles that year, the first documented in a decade.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, and Health and Human Services SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.have urged Americans to get the measles vaccineas cases spread.

DC Health said it is reaching out to people who may have been exposed. Health officials urged anyone who was exposed and never received a measles-containing vaccine to contact their health care provider or DC Health and watch for symptoms for at least 21 days after their exposure.

Contributing:Sara Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles

By Renju Jose and Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Australian leaders on Tuesday urged calm and called on protests to remain peaceful after clashes between police and demonstrators opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia erupted ​in Sydney.

Police said 27 people were arrested, including 10 for allegedly assaulting officers, after violence broke out on Monday ‌evening when police moved in to clear thousands of protesters who had gathered near Sydney's town hall.

Protesters including an opposition lawmaker said on Tuesday they had been ‌assaulted by officers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was "devastated" by the violence and urged protesters to express their views peacefully.

"Australians want two things. They don't want conflict brought here. They want killing to stop, whether it's Israelis or Palestinians, but they do not want conflict brought here," Albanese told radio station Triple M.

"The causes are not advanced by these sorts of scenes - they are undermined."

There were no reports of serious injuries, ⁠New South Wales state police said in a ‌statement.

POLICE GRANTED SPECIAL POWERS

Thousands gathered in central Sydney on Monday to protest against Herzog's visit to Australia, which comes after a mass shooting at a Jewish religious event at Bondi Beach in December that ‍killed 15 people.

Police had been authorised to use rarely invoked powers during the protest, including directing crowds to move, restricting their entry to certain areas and searching vehicles. A legal challenge to those restrictions was dismissed by a Sydney court on Monday. Herzog was not present at the protest site.

Television footage ​showed some protesters trying to push through blockades as officers forced them back. Some were seen lying on the ground while ‌police tried to restrain them.

Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

New South Wales state Premier Chris Minns defended police actions, saying officers were required to make rapid decisions in tense and volatile situations, and urged calm.

"I understand there's criticisms of New South Wales Police, I just want to make it clear they were caught in an impossible situation," he told a press conference.

In a statement, the Palestine Action Group Sydney said protesters were unable to leave the event because they were surrounded by police ⁠on all sides.

"The police began charging the crowd with horses, indiscriminately pepper spraying ​the crowd, punching and arresting people," the group said.

Abigail Boyd, an opposition Green ​lawmaker in the state parliament, said she had been punched by officers while attempting to vacate the site.

"I have a very sore arm and shoulder where they punched me. I'm really in shock," she told a ‍press conference.

New South Wales Police Commissioner ⁠Mal Lanyon said police actions were justified and that they showed restraint.

"Police did what they needed to do, which was to hold the line and then form and move the protesters back with a view to dispersing them," he said.

"Having ⁠an angry and violent mob marching on police is not a situation that I want our officers in."

Josh Lees, the head of Palestine Action Group Sydney, ‌said supporters of the group would rally outside police headquarters in the city on Tuesday evening in response to ‌Monday's clashes.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; editing by Lincoln Feast.)