Protest charges, Brisbane CBD
Police have arrested 35 people following protest activity in the Brisbane CBD today.
The people, ranging in age from 17 to 55, will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on a range of charges including assault police, obstruct police and contravene direction or requirement.
At around 6:15am a vehicle towing a catamaran has stopped at the intersection of George Street and Elizabeth Street, blocking one lane of traffic.
12 protesters were locked onto the catamaran, which was full of concrete and other objects.
Police responded to the incident and directed the protesters to unlock themselves, however they failed to comply.
Once specialist police arrived they made the tactical decision to cut the catamaran from the vehicle before cutting each protester off. The vehicle was towed to a separate location.
At approximately 9:15am, all protesters were removed from the roadway and were taken into custody.
At around 6:15am, two protesters drove off the Riverside Express Way onto Margaret Street where they have locked themselves onto a vehicle.
Police were able to safely move the vehicle off the roadway to a clearway on William Street, allowing traffic flow to Margaret Street.
It will be alleged police asked the men to unlock themselves, however they failed to comply.
At approximately 11:30am, a tactical decision was made to cut the men from the vehicle once specialist resources were available and for the ongoing welfare of the two men.
The two men were taken into custody without further incident.
At about 7:45am, police responded to reports of five protesters glued to the roadway at the intersection of Grey Street and Russell Street in South Brisbane.
Just before 8am, the protesters were removed from the roadway and taken into custody.
At about 1:40pm, police responded to three protesters who had glued themselves in the middle of the Albert Street and Mary Street intersection.
During the arrest, one of the protesters has kicked a male officer in the hand. Resulting in the officer being transported to hospital for minor injuries.
A 46-year-old man from Moorooka has been charged with assault police, obstruct police and proceed through a red pedestrian light.
He will appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 31.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) acknowledges and respects the right to lawful and peaceful protests and remains committed to working with groups that are cooperative in facilitating protest through lawful activities.
The allocation of resources and our policing response is based on community safety, the safety of officers involved whilst balancing the lawful right to protest with traffic management and the rights of the public to go about their daily business.
The QPS would also like to thank members of the public for their continued patience as police, emergency services and partner agencies work to manage protest activity and minimise disruptions to transportation networks.
