Four activists arrested after youth bail law silent protest in NT parliament

Four people have been arrested and changed after holding a silent protest in NT parliament over the government’s controversial youth bail laws.

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FOUR activists railing against the NT government’s controversial youth bail laws were on Tuesday arrested and charged.

The four were understood to have stood up and raised their right fist in solidarity with youths in Don Dale, as MLAs were debating the legislation.

Mililma May and Sharna Alley after their arrest. Picture: Thomas Morgan.

A crowd gathered out the front of the NT Parliament on Monday afternoon ahead of controversial youth bail law changes being pushed through. Protest organisers Sara Rowe, Mililma May, Melinda Phillips, Sharna Alley and Tayarrah Morris. Picture: Che Chorley

Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit then reportedly closed the visitors gallery, but the four women stayed put.

They were each charged with disorderly conduct, according to a police spokesman, and have since been released. They are expected to appear in court on June 22.

Mililma May, 22, and Sharna Alley, 22, were among the four arrested and said they were “scared” during the ordeal.

Ms May said they stood up and raised their right fists “for our brothers and sisters in Don Dale”.

“They closed the gallery and turned off all the sound, so we couldn’t hear anything,” she said.

Ms May said she and the others have now been banned from parliamentary grounds.

“The speaker personally told the police officers to tell us she’s disappointed in us,” she said.

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