Oxford Street, Sydney: Police clash with protestors in tense scenes on the eve of Mardi Gras celebrations
More than a hundred protesters have taken to the streets of Sydney’s CBD to demand an end to police brutality on the eve of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Police were called to Flinders Street near Oxford Street after Pride in Protest demonstrators staged a protest against police at around 8.30pm on Friday.
Traffic came to a standstill as dozens of people gathered to wave flags and chant “police go home” as officers stood just feet away.
At one point, officers were forced to physically push the group back after several protesters tried to push past police and onto the street.
“This is a march demanding an end to police brutality, ranging from the murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird to the deaths in custody of Blak, such as (in 2009 of indigenous trans woman) Veronica Baxter,” Pride in Protest said in a statement declaration. .
More than a hundred protesters gathered in Sydney’s CBD on Friday evening (pictured).
Traffic was forced to a standstill as people gathered to wave flags and sing (pictured)
Footage posted to X by senior SBS reporter Brian Thompson showed protesters gathering at the busy intersection in the CBD.
One of the protesters got into the driver’s seat before an officer told her to get out as police slowly began to disperse the group.
At one point, a bearded driver, claiming to be Palestinian, was heard shouting at protesters before police could calm him down.
Live Traffic NSW has issued a warning urging motorists to be aware of changed traffic conditions due to an ongoing police operation in the area.
A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia officers cleared the road after ordering protesters to move on.
“Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command, with the assistance of police from other commands, directed the crowd onto the footpath,” they said.
“A short time later, the crowd dispersed from the location where around 50 people entered Goulburn Street, outside Surry Hills Police Station, where officers again ordered them off the roadway after several minutes.”
No one was injured or arrested, and no property damage was reported.
The protest was supposed to end at 9:06 p.m.
Conversations of ‘police going home’ were heard before officers moved the large group (pictured) from the area a short time later
The latest protest comes as thousands of people prepare to march down Oxford Street on Saturday evening as part of Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras parade.
NSW Police were previously not invited by organizers of Monday’s event following the arrest of senior constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon.
Police allege 28-year-old Lamarre-Condon murdered ex-Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird and flight attendant Luke Davies at Mr Baird’s home in Paddington on February 19.
However, organizers have since reversed the original decision and will allow NSW Police officers to march in the parade in plain clothes.
Organizers said the decision was made for officials who “volunteer their time and services to the community to participate in the event.”
The decision to allow plainclothes police officers to march was made to give officers the opportunity to show up in a “respectful manner as we navigate this tragedy together.”