Police urge activists to cooperate despite protest ban

Activists have been urged to work with law enforcement as police insist they are not against protest, despite imposing a ban on rallies.

Police were given the power to refuse to authorise protests in key Sydney areas after 15 innocent people were killed in a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December.

Though the ban has been deployed and extended until January 20, protests have been held since and more are set to take place.

Palestine Action Group has organised a rally on Friday in front of Sydney's Town Hall against the anti-protest laws, and another is expected on Sunday to mark 10 years since David Dungay Jr died in custody.

Those planning to attend have been urged to cooperate with police.

"Listen to us, work with us," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters on Thursday.

"You'll be able to have your public assembly, no doubt you'll get the media attention that you want, but it doesn't have to be something that gets out of control."

Victoria Police is meanwhile facing a constitutional challenge on Thursday to powers used against protesters in Melbourne's city centre.

The NSW ban on protest authorisation can be imposed after a declared terrorist attack and extended fortnightly for up to three months.

It prevents NSW residents from seeking protest authorisation, leaving participants vulnerable to arrest for obstructing traffic or pedestrians, or marching down streets.

The measure remains widely panned by activists and civil liberties groups.

"The protest tomorrow night has no plan to march, but we reject the NSW Government's undemocratic, anti-protest laws and the ludicrous, baseless justifications for them," Palestine Action Group representative Josh Lees said in a statement.

"Israel continues to occupy Gaza, destroy Palestinian homes and deny aid ... that is why we need to continue to protest."

NSW Police are negotiating with organisers of the deaths in custody protest, but have been unable to reach those coordinating Friday's event.

"It's a very volatile time at the moment geopolitically, and we are very multicultural society," Mr McKenna said.

"We understand and empathise with people this does affect ... and we're not an anti-protest organisation."

Similar concerns about police powers have been raised in a legal and constitutional challenge against Victoria Police's decision to declare Melbourne's CBD and surrounds a "designated area" for six months from November 30.

The declaration empowers officers to search a person or vehicle without a warrant, including asking someone to remove outer clothing or take items out of their pockets.

But those raising the challenge argue police powers to order the removal of face coverings at protests interfered with rights to peaceful assembly, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, non-discrimination, privacy and freedom of expression.

The case will be heard on Thursday.