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Protesters planning to march through Sydney\u2019s CBD during Israeli president Isaac Herzog\u2019s visit are being urged to take an alternate route, as the Palestine Action<\/a> Group prepares to challenge the premier\u2019s use of special powers ahead of the rally.<\/p>\n The acting assistant commissioner of New South Wales police, Paul Dunstan, told reporters on Sunday negotiations were ongoing with Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group over the location of Monday night\u2019s march.<\/p>\n The group plans to march from Town Hall to the state parliament, in a breach of the public assembly restriction declaration extended by police on Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n The extension prevents the authorisation of protests under the form 1 system, effectively banning marches in designated areas without the risk of arrest. The current designated area includes Town Hall and takes in the northern part of the CBD and the eastern suburbs, but excludes Hyde Park.<\/p>\n Dunstan urged the group to relocate to Hyde Park and march to Belmore Park instead, saying it would \u201csafely facilitate a peaceful protest on the streets of Sydney\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI do have concerns about the size of Town Hall, and possibility of overflow into public areas, which could lead to conflict between police and protesters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor that reason, among many, I would ask them to consider relocating and to continue negotiating with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Dunstan stressed Lees \u201cwent to great efforts to outline an intent and desire for a peaceful and safe protest\u201d.<\/p>\n The premier, Chris Minns, said the alternate route \u201cwould have dramatically lowered tensions in the city\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would have been a clear way of demonstrating that there\u2019s protests that can take place … but also a respectful way of ensuring that those who are in the city, who are mourning after the worst terrorism event in the country\u2019s history won\u2019t be subject to a confrontation on city streets,\u201d he said at a seperate press conference on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cSo far, that opportunity hasn\u2019t been taken up, but NSW police will continue to negotiate with the protest organisers right up until the last moment, and we hope that common sense prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n