Refugee activists lock themselves in cage during hotel rooftop stunt

Activists campaigning for refugees to be freed from a Melbourne hotel have climbed the roof of a restaurant and locked themselves in a cage. It comes after they flouted COVID-19 restrictions and rallied for a protest this month.

Police officers work to free a refugee rights activist who locked themselves in a cage next to the Mantra Hotel in Preston. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Refugee activists have climbed on top of a building near a Melbourne detention facility.

Protesters have locked themselves on top of Chill Restaurant, located opposite the Mantra Bell City hotel in Preston where dozens of refugees are being detained.

It is understood some locked themselves inside a cage on top of the building.

Refugee rights activist look on as police work to free a protester locked to a cage. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

A protester gestures as police escorts them away. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Protesters are demanding the release of refugees being detained at the Mantra Hotel in Preston. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

About 20 police are on scene, including specialist rescue teams.

The Refugee Action Collective defied health warnings and staged a protest at the site earlier this month.

A significant number of police attended that protest and no one was charged.

A refugee rights activist sits in a cage on the rooftop. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Refugee activists staged the latest stunt after a protest several weeks ago. Picture: Supplied

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