Why Toowoomba Black Lives Matter protest was cancelled

The teenage organiser of a cancelled Black Lives Matter protest in Toowoomba has claimed police came to her house to urge her to cancel the event.

Sydney Black Lives Matter Rally In Solidarity With U.S. Protests Over Death Of George Floyd

THE teenage organiser of a now cancelled Black Lives Matter protest that had attracted the interest of more than 700 people has revealed why she had to can the event.

Toowoomba's Lucy Buenen found the police at her front door on Thursday, after her planned protest at Queens Park on Sunday was set to feature hundreds of people.

The 17-year-old said she was heavily urged to cancel the event, with police telling her it would be difficult to run considering COVID-19 restrictions, among other factors.

"I didn't think there was any risk of people contracting COVID and I didn't think the police would get involved," she said.

"They showed up at my door - they just rocked up.

"It was heavily implied that I was to cancel the event, because with everything going on you would not get police approval.

"They just said that with everything going on and with Toowoomba's criminal environment the event would go south very quickly."

A second event, planned for today at 11.30am at Queens Park, is still slated to go ahead.

Participants are encouraged to wear face masks, and will only march inside the park instead of on the streets.

Originally published as Why Toowoomba Black Lives Matter protest was cancelled