At least five people have been arrested after police and council workers moved in to dismantle a protest camp at the site of Brisbane’s planned Olympic stadium.
The operation unfolded at Victoria Park about 2.15pm on Friday when protesters camping at the Goori Camp Embassy site refused to leave by a council-imposed deadline.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Arrests made as Victoria Park protest camp cleared
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The camp had been established to protest plans to transform the park into the site of Brisbane’s new $3.6 billion Olympic stadium.
Campers were given until 2pm to pack up their belongings and leave ahead of construction works, which are scheduled to begin on Monday.
At least two protestors were detained by police. Credit: 7NEWS Police clash with protesters at Victoria Park on Friday. Credit: 7NEWS However, when the deadline passed, a number of protesters remained at the site, prompting police and council workers to move in.
Footage from the scene shows officers removing demonstrators as tensions flared between protesters and police.
“It’s very distressing for us. This is a park, it’s a 150-year-old park for the people, there’s thousands and thousands of years of First Nations history here and it’s going to be destroyed,” Sue Bremner from Save Victoria Park said.
Queensland Police confirmed two men and three woman had been arrested.
“During today’s initial engagement, a 50-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were taken into police custody in relation to public nuisance, contravening police direction and assault police offences,” a police spokesperson said.
“This afternoon, police took another 50-year-old man and a 29-year-old man into custody, in relation to obstruct and assault police offences.
“A 32-year-old woman was also taken into custody for breach of peace, however, was released without charge.”
Arrests made as police dismantle Brisbane protest camp. Credit: 7NEWS
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