10 June 2024
The United States Consulate in Miller St, North Sydney was attacked by a vandal around 3am on Monday morning. The vandal, a male wearing a hoodie, took to the Consulate’s glass facade with a sledgehammer, damaging ten panes.
He also sprayed inverted red triangles on the facade, reminiscent of the “signature” used by the Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Palestine to highlight combat vehicles and ground forces that are about to be targeted for attack.
The attack prompted a reaction from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said “I reiterate my call to turn the heat down … measures such as painting the US Consulate do nothing to advance the cause of those who have committed what is crime.”
NSW Premier Chriss Minns said “Even if there’s disagreement about events taking place overseas, no one wants to see violence or malicious damage in NSW and I think it’s reprehensible.”
Local police have asked anyone in the area at the time of the incident or who may have witnessed it to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
The consulate did not sustain major damage and will apparently open for normal business Tuesday.
The North Sydney Sun has observed that while the building is well covered by CCTV it lacks the physical security presence at night enjoyed, for example, at nearby Kirribilli House which has a permanent street-side police presence.