‘Stop Black Deaths in Custody’: Police urge people not to attend planned event in Brisbane
Queensland Police have urged thousands of people planning to gather in Brisbane CBD on Saturday for a Black Lives Matter protest as part of a “national weekend of action” to not attend.
QLD Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUEENSLAND Police have urged thousands of people planning to gather in Brisbane CBD on Saturday for a Black Lives Matter protest to not attend.
The ‘Stop Black Deaths in Custody’ protest is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at noon in King George Square, with protestors planning to march over the river to Musgrave Park in South Brisbane.
Three charged during Black Lives Matter rally
Brisbane weekend protest planned, despite positive COVID test from Black Lives Matter mass rally
More than 1,000 people have indicated online that they plan to addend, and an additional 3,000 people have stated they are ‘interested’ in the event.
Queensland Police are aware of the planned protest however have not authorised any notices of intention under the Peaceful Assembly Act 1992 for the protest to proceed.
“People are urged not to attend large-scale protests,” A Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
“If people do attend, they are urged to ensure they comply with the Chief Health Officer’s directions in relation to COVID-19.
The Brisbane protest is one of six occurring in cities across Australia as part of a ‘national weekend of action’ (there are no protests planned for Victoria).
Some of the protestor’s demands are to stop black deaths in custody, defund police and prisons and shut youth prisons.
“We urge everyone to wear facemasks, to bring hand sanitiser, to obey social distancing as much as possible, and to stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms,” promotional materials for the event state.
At a press conference today, Health Minister and Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he was not aware of the protest planned for tomorrow but said Queenslanders shouldn’t be going to protests.
“What we’ve said consistently about protests is that people shouldn’t participate in them,” Mr Miles said.
“They are a risk.
“We’ve been very fortunate though; we haven’t had any cases out of the recent protests and we certainly hope that to continue to be the case.”
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said that violent or criminal behaviour at the protest will not be tolerated.
“Community safety is our number one priority and police will take action if any behaviour poses a risk to the safety of individuals or the destruction of property,” she said.
Members of the public planning to travel within Brisbane City tomorrow are advised traffic and public transport may be disrupted as a result of protest activity.