Rival protest groups to shut down Brisbane CBD
Police are bracing for traffic chaos as two rival protest groups prepare to face off in Brisbane's CBD on Saturday, with neither having proper permits.
Two unlawful protesting groups are expected to face off in Brisbane’s CBD on Saturday, shutting down city streets and causing traffic chaos.
The Australia Unite protest led by The People’s Revolution that is set to take place nationally, will take over King George Square sparked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in the neck at an event at Utah University.
Online propaganda with ‘Vale Charlie’ under the ‘Australian Unites against government corruption’ have been circulating with the location of each nationwide rally.
The group’s unlawful protest will be held at the Botanic Gardens, in Brisbane’s CBD from midday.
A secondary rally, dubbed Sovereignty Never Ceded, hosted by group ‘Campaign against racism and fascism Brisbane’, will aim to drown out the far-right group, with a spokeswoman saying members from the opposing protest would “push division and misinformation.”
“We reject their politics, our rally is about solidarity between First Nations people, migrants, and all working people,” she said.
The spokeswoman said she is expecting around 300 people will be in attendance, and said is not anticipating “any violence” to be associated with the rally.
“We won’t tolerate racism and fascism on our streets and know the way we defeat it is with solidarity and numbers,” she said.
The Courier-Mail asked why they had not applied for a Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly.
“Notices of intention are mostly a courtesy so police can manage traffic, and we’ve already let them know our plans informally,” she said.
Both protests are being observed nationwide, with a Queensland Police spokeswoman confirming they had not received a Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly (NOI) in Brisbane.
Motorists are being warned to expect congestion and delays to travel in the Brisbane City between 12pm and 3pm on Saturday.
Rolling roads closures are expected within the CBD along with Victoria Bridge, Southbank, near the botanic gardens and Musgrave Park.
“As is standard for all protests, a policing presence will be maintained to ensure public safety, manage any traffic impacts, and respond to any incidents as required,” A QPS spokeswoman said.
It comes just weeks after thousands gathered for the March for Australia rally in Brisbane.
The Australia Unite protest organisers were contacted for comment.
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