Black Lives Matter Brisbane: Former Cronulla Sharks player Cruz Topai-Aveai explains protest outburst
A young ex-NRL player has revealed what he was thinking after he threatened police and climbed on a cop car during yesterday’s protests, saying he is fed up with police ‘abusing their privilege’. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
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A FORMER Cronulla Sharks player has explained what sparked the fury that led to him threatening police and jumping on a cop car during yesterday’s Black Lives Matter protests in Brisbane.
Cruz Topai-Aveai – who was a top 30 listed player for the Sharks before leaving the club last month ‘to be with family’ – was filmed swearing at police on Grey St at South Bank, holding onto the bullbar of their car in a foul-mouthed tirade at the officers inside.
Chasing the vehicle as it reversed, Topai-Aveai then climbed on top of the car as fellow protesters – who he had pushed away during the pursuit – urged him to calm down.
He later ran into a public toilet before being detained but was not arrested.
The 21-year-old second rower took to social media to explain his actions after the incident.
“Know the story behind the video, you didn’t see the part where I bust a locked door open to escape so I could calm down,” Topai-Aveai said.
“I weeped on my brother Jalen Reweti’s shoulder and had his beautiful partner Tupu there to help calm me.
“I am furious. I am angry. I am young. I am dumb. I am whatever you think I am.
“Most of all I am fed up of police abusing their privilege to wear their uniform.”
Topai-Aveai said police had let him off, and he was writing the post from the comfort of his own home.
Despite the heated scenes at South Bank, a police spokesman told The Sunday-Ma il there were no arrests or charges made in relation to the rally.
“The crowds were really well behaved,” he said.
When asked about the incident of jumping on a police vehicle, the spokesman said “the situation was diffused pretty quickly.”
“That man was let go soon after,.” he said.
Originally published as Black Lives Matter Brisbane: Former Cronulla Sharks player Cruz Topai-Aveai explains protest outburst
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