Thousands expected at BLM Brisbane protest on Saturday

Thousands of protesters have gathered for Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane’s CBD, with some activists setting an Australian flag on fire.

THOUSANDS of people have marched through Brisbane’s CBD for a Black Lives Matter rally after authorities had urged protesters to stay away.

One of the state’s top police officers said Queensland Police were expecting “fairly big protest activity” as people rally for Black Lives Matter in Brisbane on Saturday.

A protester sets the Australian flag on fire at a Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane.

Activists gathered in King George Square in Brisbane’s CBD for the protest before marching towards Musgrave Park at South Brisbane.

Some protesters lit the Australian flag on fire after speakers had earlier called to “burn Australia to the ground”.

Thousands of people are marching in Brisbane for a Black Lives Matter protest.

The rally, which has also called for justice for refugees, heard from a refugee named Farhard Rahmati who phoned in from Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation Compound.

The rally has so far remained peaceful with speakers sharing stories of police brutality before the march begins.

Black Lives Matter protesters march across Victoria Bridge in Brisbane.

Organisers have noted there is a smaller turnout to a previous BLM protest in which around 30,000 people attended.

“We were all born equal so we should be treated equally,” protester Hannah Thompson said.

Protesters gather for the Black Lives Matter protest in Brisbane's CBD.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski saying officers would work with activists.

“In the past we’ve had some fairly big protest activity,” he said.

“We try to work with them.

“What we’ll do is make a judgement … they’ll look at the circumstances and take the appropriate action.”

The #BLMprotest has kicked off in King George Square in Brisbane's CBD. The group is planning to march to Musgrave Park. @couriermail pic.twitter.com/T0aNa2MMFj

— Cloe Read (@cloe_read) July 4, 2020

Queensland Police had earlier issued a statement hoping to discourage people from protesting.

“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.”

Health Minister Steven Miles said yesterday Queenslanders should not be attending protests as it was a risk.

Originally published as Thousands expected at BLM Brisbane protest on Saturday