'Massive numbers' of police to be deployed for Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations
People in Sydney have been urged to show "defiance" and celebrate New Year's Eve in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Bondi Beach earlier this month.
People in Sydney have been urged to show "defiance" and celebrate New Year's Eve in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Bondi Beach earlier this month.
Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales (NSW), where the coastal city is located, called on the public to "thumb your nose at the terrorists" and attend 31 December fireworks and other events, according to Sky News Australia.
He also said police will be deployed "in massive numbers" and some will be carrying weapons that residents have not seen before, in what is being reported as an unprecedented display of firepower by officers.
Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 others were injured in the 14 December shooting, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration.
New evidence from Bondi Beach attack explained
'Thumb your nose at the terrorists'
According to Sky News Australia, Mr Minns said: "We have to show defiance by going out and spending time with family and friends over the New Year period.
"Because of the weird ideology of some of these terrorists, what they want is for us to crawl up into a ball and not have fun with our family and friends.
More on Australia
-
[
Australian PM booed at Bondi Beach vigil a week after deadly terror attack
](https://news.sky.com/story/australian-pm-booed-at-bondi-beach-vigil-a-week-after-deadly-terror-attack-13486282)
-
[
'What they've seen, few people have ever seen': Lifeguards honour Bondi Beach victims
](https://news.sky.com/story/what-theyve-seen-few-people-have-ever-seen-lifeguards-honour-bondi-beach-victims-13485854)
-
[
Australia plans gun buyback scheme in response to Bondi Beach killings
](https://news.sky.com/story/australia-plans-gun-buyback-scheme-in-response-to-bondi-beach-killings-13485480)
"I'm calling on the people of Sydney to step out, to do what you would ordinarily do, to thumb your nose at the terrorists."
Mr Minns said police would be out "in massive numbers", with officers carrying a level of firepower never before seen in the state, according to Sky News Australia.