Brisbane hotel asylum protest to ramp up
A blockade at a Brisbane hotel will ramp up over the weekend, supporters of detained asylum seekers have vowed.
A small group of die-hard protesters blockaded the Brisbane hotel on Friday, accusing the government of seeking to silence detained asylum seekers by moving them.
Supporters of about 120 detainees are vowing to mass in the exits to prevent access to the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel.
Police and protestors are seen outside the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in Brisbane, Friday, June 12, 2020. AAP
Father Denis Scanlan (left) and protestors are seen outside the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in Brisbane, Friday, June 12, 2020 AAP
Protest numbers dwindled throughout Friday, with 20 to 30 people on site according to police but organisers are hopeful of a strong turnout on Saturday.
Protesters claim authorities are intent on relocating asylum seekers who've been in long-term detention at the hotel and have staged a series of balcony protests.
Brisbane City Greens councillor Jonathan Sri says protesters will continue their blockade into Saturday when a large rally is planned outside the hotel despite coronavirus warnings by the premier.
Protestors are seen outside the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in Brisbane, Friday, June 12, 2020. AAP
Protestors are seen outside the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in Brisbane, Friday, June 12, 2020. AAP
"I think if the premier is comfortable opening up schools and shopping malls then a few people spaced out on a road is probably not that high a risk," Mr Sri told AAP on Friday.
"The bigger risk is the mental health of people in detention."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned people should not attend Saturday's free-the-refugees rally due to coronavirus fears.
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