Police arrest protesters during Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane

Among the arrested protesters was prominent Indigenous rights activist and Aboriginal elder Wayne Wharton.

Police and a Black Lives Matter protestor are seen during a protest outside the Roma Street Magistrates Court in Brisbane.

Police and a Black Lives Matter protestor are seen during a protest outside the Roma Street Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Source: AAP

Police have arrested two people at a Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane.

A group of about 100 people marched to Parliament House at lunchtime on Wednesday to protest police brutality against indigenous Australians and to call for justice for those who have died in custody.

The group blocked a nearby ramp to the South East Freeway, stopping traffic for a short period of time before police moved them along.
A Black Lives Matter protester confronts police officers during a protest outside the Roma Street Magistrates Court in Brisbane.
A Black Lives Matter protester confronts police officers during a protest outside the Roma Street Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Source: AAP
A large group of officers flanked the crowd and arrested two people as they gathered outside Parliament House, chanting and waving placards.

A police spokesman said the pair, including the lead protester, have not been charged.

Protesters said prominent Indigenous rights activist and Aboriginal elder Wayne Wharton was among the two people who were arrested.
Wayne Wharton pictured outside the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy in 2014.
Wayne Wharton pictured outside the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy in 2014. Source: AAP
Following the arrest of the two protesters, the rest of the group marched to the Roma Street watch house to demand their release.

Dozens of uniformed officers from the nearby police headquarters stood around the crowd as protesters chanted: "Too many coppers, not enough justice".


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