Animal rights group PETA claims police are already abusing new "annoyance" laws the day before they are due to come into effect, after three activists who protested naked at a KFC in Sydney's CBD were arrested.
The lobby group believes the three women are the first to be arrested under the controversial World Youth Day laws
Police say the arrests were due to offensive behaviour and have nothing to do with NSW police's broadly expanded power, with a spokesman saying the girls were arrested for 'protesting naked'.
But Jason Baker, PETA's Asia-Pacific director told Fairfax, when he confronted police about the arrest, they claimed they were acting under the 'annoyance laws', not due to come into effect until July 15.
"One of the officers said: 'We have the new nuisance regulation this week for World Youth Day,'" he said.
"I said: 'Are you serious?' I thought it doesn't start until tomorrow, and was [being challenged in court] anyway."
Mr Baker said the group had performed countless naked protests which didn't result in arrests, including demonstrations at the KFC targeted today.
"I'm shocked. We have protested many times in Sydney, and at this KFC before.
"We had 24 people naked in Pitt Street just six weeks ago ... we've never had problems."
Nevertheless, the sight drew a lot of attention from lunchtime crowds on George Street – a blonde, brunette and red head dressed only in yellow underpants were locked inside a cage outside the busy store.
The PETA protestors claim KFC boils its chickens alive and has inhumane living standards for the animals.
Police have seized video footage of the incident and will decide if any charges are warranted.
Video: Yasmin Bright