Danny Lim ‘haunted forever’, ‘lucky to be alive’ after QVB NSW Police arrest

Sydney street personality Danny Lim revealed he could be “haunted forever” by his arrest and injuries last year as he explained the effects and how he’s “lucky to be alive”.

Sydney activist Danny Lim pictured in Sydney CBD in mid-2022, wearing the same sandwich board as during the arrest. Picture: Damian Shaw

Sydney street personality Danny Lim has revealed he expects to be “haunted forever” by his arrest last year and resulting injuries as he explained the effects and how he’s “lucky to be alive”.

Mr Lim was arrested and allegedly thrown to the ground by NSW Police officers at the QVB near Sydney’s Town Hall on November 22.

He was wearing a sandwich board reading ‘SMILE CVN’T! WHY CVN’T?’ when security guards then called the police.

Vision from the incident depicted Lim thrown to the ground by officers, which left him with a bloody head and a stay in hospital.

Mr Lim, who is now back on his usual beat trying to bring smiles to the faces of Sydneysiders, explained how his health was “like a yoyo”.

“Everything is difficult at the moment,” he said, while on two walking sticks at Central Station on Thursday.

Danny Lim on January 5 on two walking sticks at Central Station for the Elvis Express, with an Elvis-themed outfit. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

“I find it hard sometimes, I get dizzy and headaches, I have no mental or physical energy, but I don’t just want to stay at home.”

Mr Lim, who was decked out in Elvis-themed dress at the annual departure of the Elvis Express to Parkes, said he had a recent MRI scan on his brain at St Vincent’s Hospital, where he alleged the doctor told him he “was lucky to be alive”.

“The doctors told me it will take six months until I return to normality,” he said.

“They said I was lucky to be alive.”

The ramifications, said Mr Lim, were not just physical, but mental.

“I think what happened to me will stay and haunt me for the rest of my life,” he said.

Vision of the arrest in November. Picture: Supplied

The injuries Mr Lim sustained as a result of the arrest. Picture: Supplied

The incident is being investigated by NSW Police, with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).

Premier Dominic Perrottet has also called for “strongest action” to be taken if any wrongdoing is uncovered.

Mr Lim, while slightly worse for wear, has vowed to do the thing he loves most – showing face around Sydney to spread messages of respect.

“We are all human,” he said.

“The main thing we all have to do is respect each other.

“And here in Australia, it’s also important to share a joke and have a sense of humour.”

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