Sydney streets trashed after 47th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
Busy Sydney streets have been trashed, and four men arrested, in the aftermath of a chaotic Mardi Gras parade.
Breaking News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney’s streets were trashed and four men arrested during the 47th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, which took over the city on Saturday night.
Huge crowds flocked to Oxford and Flinders Street and Anzac Parade on Saturday night to watch the annual parade from Hyde to Moore Park, with thousands of people and 180 floats participating.
The city was buzzing as revellers dressed in wild and wonderful outfits celebrated into the night.
However, the following morning the streets were less than shiny.
Shocking images taken on Sunday morning show piles of food wrappings and plastic discarded on Oxford St, with one man collecting cans in giant garbage bags.
Early morning joggers could be seen running through the rubbish, while some partygoers appeared to still be kicking on.
Familiar faces including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, and Greens politicians Adam Bandt and Mehreen Faruqi, were reportedly in attendance at the chaotic parade on Saturday night, where four men were arrested.
NSW Police said a high-visibility policing operation involving general and specialist officers led to the arrest of a 57-year-old man on Denham St about 9.20pm, after allegedly attempting to manoeuvre his vehicle around Mounted Unit officers to get through a police road closure.
The man also allegedly threatened a news cameraman during the arrest.
He taken to Surry Hills Police Station, before being taken to hospital for a pre-existing condition.
The man is expected to be charged with multiple offences, including two counts of assaulting a police officer without causing bodily harm.
A 33-year-old man was also arrested about 9.45pm for the alleged assault of a security guard on Bourke Street.
The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with common assault and hindering or resisting a police officer, and granted bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on April 10.
Police arrested a 48-year-old man about 10.25pm after he allegedly inappropriately touched a woman and punched a man who was with her.
The 48-year-old was taken to Surry Hills, where he was charged with sexually touch another person without consent, and common assault.
He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
A 22-year-old man was also arrested on Crown Street about 10.45pm, after allegedly climbing onto a police bus which was transporting police employees who participated in the parade. The man was issued an infringement notice for travelling on a moving vehicle.
Operation Commander Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith said the overall behaviour of crowds at the Mardi Gras parade was “pleasing”.
“Throughout the operation, police were focused on maintaining public safety and security to make the evening a memorable one for the right reasons,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“A small handful of people did the wrong thing, and they were dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
“The vast majority of the large crowds were well behaved and looked after each other.”
Originally published as Sydney streets trashed after 47th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
Israel blocks aid to devastated Gaza as truce’s first phase ends
Israel blocks aid to devastated Gaza as truce's first phase ends
Europeans rally around Ukraine after Trump row
Europeans rally around Ukraine after Trump row