<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Powers used to restrict protests in the aftermath of the </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/bondi-shooting" rel="" target="" title="Bondi massacre"><span>Bondi massacre</span></a><span> have been deemed by a </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="court"><span>court</span></a><span> to have breached constitutional freedoms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The controversial measures, which were rushed through </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Parliament in December, allowed the police commissioner to make a declaration preventing residents from seeking authorisation for rallies in key areas of </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> for up to three months after a terror attack.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This left protesters vulnerable to arrest for obstructing traffic or pedestrian movements if they marched through the streets.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nuclear-arms-race-defence-minister-richard-marles-ominous-warning/5345ee72-f604-4a35-a890-5f1cfd31a57c" rel="" target="" title="'We may be at the foothills of a new nuclear arms race'"><strong><span>'We may be at the foothills of a new nuclear arms race'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the state government said the laws were necessary to maintain order and peace, activist organisations Palestine Action Group and Blak Caucus took them to court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chief Justice Andrew Bell on Thursday found the laws were an "impermissible burden" on various constitutional freedoms in a NSW Court of Appeal decision.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The declaration was imposed after two gunmen allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in mid-December, killing 15 people.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/controversial-post-bondi-antiprotest-laws-struck-down-new-south-wales-courts-news/5a16acbc-2462-41b5-84e7-e997808bfc56" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Its restrictions were not eased until February, about a week after police broke up a Town Hall protest opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's trip to Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The event was also policed under a major events declaration that gave authorities powers to clear the area at their determination.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Asked about the laws ahead of the court's decision, Premier Chris Minns continued to back them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm not saying there wasn't clashes, I'm not saying it wasn't difficult and I don't regret moving that legislation at all," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's tricky when you're introducing changes to legislation like that because there's a necessary infringement on constitutional principles.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But there are other constitutional principles: the right of individual citizens to go about living their life free of intimidation, persecution or violence."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" 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