The festival is notorious for its high number of drug arrests

IDO homeless run were reportedly on their way to preach against drugs

A Muslim charity group on their way to a Sydney music festival to preach against the use of drugs were stopped and raided by a large number of police.

IDO Homeless Run, also known as The White Coats were reportedly on their way to Stereosonic, a festival notorious for large amounts of drug arrests when over 100 police stopped the men in Lidcombe, west of Sydney on Saturday.

The charity group have since posted a video on their Facebook account explaining the situation and have launched a petition demanding an apology.

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Over 100 police officers stopped a Muslim charity group on their way to a music festival

A bystander witnessing the scene recorded a swarm of police and swat cars block the road and surround a group of men from the charity group.

'They were each searched individually and had their van searched as well with nothing incriminating found whatsoever.

'As time passed, more and more police officers were called down including a SWAT van with armed officers,' reads the online petition.

Frustrated with the manner in which the police conducted the search the leaders of the group attempted to explain their version of events.

‘[IDO Homeless Run attended] as concerned members of the community because we have lost ones down there to drugs and we went down there as a group.

‘On the way there we were pulled over by up to 150 officers, there was coppers with balaclaves, with their guns ready on stand by.

'We complied with all of their orders, they searched our van, they found nothing,'

IDO Homeless Run, also known as The White Coats wanted to preach against the use of drugs at the festival

The charity organisation also posted a video on their Facebook page where they explain that they were approached by police with balaclavas and 'guns ready on standby'

The petition has since gained over 6,000 signatures as they await the request of a public apology by the NSW police.

'They were told they were not allowed to go to the Festival as it would breach the peace, despite their well-founded intentions in assisting troubled youth.

'Although their reason may have been considered valid, the exaggerated response by the NSW Police force was nothing short of intimidating to the boys and caused much public embarrassment to their reputable charity organisation.'

The police allege although their intentions were not meant to harm, they will 'breach the peace' and on that basis they can't allow it to occur.

The petition has gained over 6,000 signatures after it was launched on Saturday night after the raid

Police stopped the group because they will 'breach the peace' and on that basis they can't allow it to occur