The violence erupted on Margaret Street, Belfield, after a small group of LGBTI+ activists from Community Action for Rainbow Rights, who gathered to protest near the church where Mr Latham was the key speaker at a Community Forum on Religious Freedom and Parental Rights Forum, were confronted by a group who objected to their actions.
Police were pelted with projectiles including bottles and rocks as they moved to protect the activists.
The Public Order and Riot Squad and Operational Support Group were called to offer assistance and help disperse the crowd.
Campsie police Superintendent Sheridan Waldau condemned the violence.
She said it would not be tolerated and police were reviewing numerous amounts of footage and expect further charges to be laid against a number of other people.
“This was a very violent confrontation that occurred at an event which was supposed to be a peaceful protest,” Supt Waldau said.
“Police worked with the event organisers and the protest group to ensure that this was going to be a peaceful event, we had no indication that there could be any violence.”
Supt Waldau said police had been monitoring the situation since 5pm and had no indication that violence would erupt.
A video on social media encouraging people to turn up and disrupt the protest days prior, has also emerged.
Community Action for Rainbow Rights posted: “…violent far right thugs attacked a small, peaceful speak-out of LGBTI+ activists with glass bottles, rocks and their fists. Several people were punched in the face multiple times and hit with rocks and bottles as they were surrounded by a mob.”
A spokesperson for Mr Latham said One Nation didn’t organise the event.
“Mark was invited along with three other speakers to talk at a pre-election public meeting at the St Michael’s Belfield Catholic Church – no different to several other meetings on religious and parental rights this year,” he said.
A 34-year-old man was charged with encourage the commission of crimes, a 41-year-old man charged with common assault and a 42-year-old man charged with assault police officer during public disorder no actual bodily harm, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and affray.
