It’s been estimated that about 12,000 people gathered in Sydney on Saturday to take part in the Australian “Black Lives Matter” protest, after a Minnesota police officer in the United States, a country on the other side of the world, caused the death of a black American.
Protesters chanted “f**k the police” and “Too many coppers, not enough justice” as they rallied near Town Hall.
Anti-police rhetoric has dominated recent “Black Lives Matter” protests, with the abolition of law enforcement and prison high on the list of demands.
The Movement 4 Black Lives states first and foremost: “We are Abolitionists: We believe that prison, police, and all other institutions that inflict violence on Black people must be abolished…”
According to Nine News, police were forced to use capsicum spray on several protesters at Central station after a fight with police broke out. One teenager was arrested for allegedly assaulting a female police officer.
Jack Morphet of the Sunday Times shared footage from the rally, including the moment Channel Nine reporter Damian Ryan was chased off by protesters outside the station.
Channel Nine reporter @DamoNews getting chased off by protesters outside Central station where the mood is becoming quite tense. @dailytelegraph pic.twitter.com/kKDztBbfb2
— Jack Morphet (@JackMorphet) June 6, 2020
More than 50,000 people showed up to today’s #Sydneyprotest in support of #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/taXSEQxHGP
— Chelsea Hetherington (@chelsea_hetho) June 6, 2020
The last remaining protesters who refuse to leave the Sydney #blacklivesmatteraustralia protest are getting angry. Police showing great restraint, with protesters shouting “fuck the police” in their faces. @dailytelegraph pic.twitter.com/j4BJ0EC8Dt
— Jack Morphet (@JackMorphet) June 6, 2020
— Jack Morphet (@JackMorphet) June 6, 2020
View from the rear – a matrix of police bringing up the end of the tens of thousands at the Sydney #blacklivesmatteraustralia protest pic.twitter.com/FnMNfHpfBV
— Isabella Kwai (@BellaKwai) June 6, 2020
Police have used capsicum spray to disperse a small remainder of protesters in Central Station. Photos by James Brickwood.
Live updates here: https://t.co/qm63q4vJDP pic.twitter.com/EY2piqOYlJ
— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) June 6, 2020
