Commonwealth Games 2018: Dylan Voller arrested as indigenous protest turns ugly

The former Northern Territory youth detainee was arrested as an indigenous rights protest turned ugly at the opening ceremony.

Dylan Voller has been arrested at the Commonwealth Games after allegedly trying to enter Carrara Stadium as an indigenous rights protest turned ugly during last night’s opening ceremony.

The former Northern Territory youth detainee was taking part in the demonstration when a group allegedly rushed on the Gold Coast venue and were wrestled into handcuffs by police.

Voller and two women were charged with one count of public nuisance each after several fights broke out. The 20-year-old man will appear at Southport Magistrates Court on May 3.

Police said they would not tolerate disruptive behaviour during the Games. “Around 7.30pm, a group of people were protesting in a carpark outside of the stadium,” Queensland Police said in a statement. “It will be alleged that some protesters attempted to gain unauthorised entry into the venue. The Queensland Police Service respects the right of people to protest lawfully and peacefully in Queensland but will not tolerate disruptive behaviour during the Commonwealth Games and associated events.”

Two Queensland women aged 21 and 30 were also charged with one count each of public nuisance and are due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on April 23.

Earlier yesterday, an hour-long stand-off between police and a group of indigenous activists held up the Queen’s baton relay on its way to the opening ceremony.

About 40 protesters, including Mr Voller, whose treatment at the hands of guards at Darwin’s Don Dale Youth Detention Centre sparked a royal commission, blocked the road as the relay ­approached.

Aboriginal protesters are arrested by police at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Picture: Britt Ramsey

The protesters, who had been camped in a park at the end of The Spit at Main Beach on the Gold Coast for a week, delayed the relay and only allowed it to pass when they realised a baton bearer on the bus was a boy in a wheelchair.

Protester Albert Hartnett said the baton, which left Buckingham Palace more than 100 days ago, was a symbol of British genocide. The activists called for self-determination and urged other indigenous people from throughout the Commonwealth to do the same. “For us to make inroads to stop the disadvantages and injustices that ­impact our people, we need to raise our voice and make it heard,” Mr Hartnett said.

The “Stolenwealth Games” protest was organised by the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance.

Mr Voller, from Alice Springs, said he was tired of indigenous people facing injustice.

“I’m sick of seeing the way we’re treated,” he said. “This is meant to be our land but we’ve still got to stick to Europe, we’ve still got the Union Jack.

“We’re our own people. This is a whole different place to what ­England is; we are not in England.”

Mr Voller, 20, said he was proud to be protesting for indigenous issues while the international spotlight was on the Gold Coast for the Games.

“It’s gone peacefully and I think there is still more to come,” he said.

Video footage of a hooded Mr Voller strapped to a chair inside Don Dale Detention Centre, aired by the ABC’s Four Corners in 2016, sparked the Northern Territory royal commission into youth ­detention.

Aboriginal protesters are arrested by police at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Picture: Britt Ramsey

Mary Graham, an elder from the local Yugambeh people who have worked with organisers in shaping the Games, said she welcomed the peaceful protest.

“We gave permission for them and some of our own people to protest on our land,” Dr Graham said. “We are the traditional owners of the region and we agree in fighting for our rights.”

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said protesters had been well behaved and managed to get their message across without disrupting the community.

“There’s more protest activity planned for today and we’re confident that will be done in a way that will minimise the amount of ­impact that it has on the broader community as well as the people attending the Games,” he said.

A small group of indigenous protesters blocked a Gold Coast road, bringing a temporary halt to the Queen's Baton Relay. Picture: AP