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Australian Protest About George Floyd Has Been Cancelled Due To Safety Concerns

Australian Protest About George Floyd Has Been Cancelled Due To Safety Concerns

Organisers were concerned after people 'threatened to wreak havoc' at the event.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A protest about George Floyd and Aboriginal deaths in custody planned this afternoon (Tuesday, June 2) in Sydney has been cancelled due to safety concerns.

Thousands of people had clicked attending or were interested in the event on Facebook, which was due to take place in Hyde Park at 5pm AEST.

However, organisers of the peaceful rally have cancelled it because of fears violence could break out.

Facebook

They wrote on the Facebook event: "Although Australia is far from where the murder took place, we have a voice. We stand with Minneapolis and their people calling for a raise in the degree.

"This event was meant to be a time for Aboriginal voices to be heard, but due to uncertainty of safety for all involved, we would like to advise a cancellation of the protest.

"Safety is always priority, and it breaks the hearts of everyone involved to have to cancel this event."

PA

Peaceful rallies have broken out all across the world in solidarity with America, with many calling for the racial gap to be closed. There have been several other events planned in Australia to take place this week.

The one in Sydney was also due to focus on the number of Aboriginals who have died in police custody and calls for their justice.

The Facebook event for the now-cancelled Hyde Park rally said: "This is a PEACEFUL PROTEST for the misrepresentation of our Indigenous population in the legal system, as well as in solidarity to George Floyd.

"Australia however, is not exempt from injustices faced for people of colour and the Indigenous population."

A separate rally has been planned for Sydney, which will also take place at Hyde Park and will march to the NSW Parliament and the US Embassy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned against Australians mirroring what they've seen in America during peaceful protests.

PA

Mr Morrison told 2GB Radio: "There's no need to import things happening in other countries here to Australia.

"Australia is not the United States. The United States is a great country. They're a great friend of Australia and they're going through a difficult time. We wish them all the best as they deal with that."

When asked what he thought about the death of George Floyd, Mr Morrison admitted that it was devastating.

"I saw a good meme on the weekend - Martin Luther King didn't change anything by burning anything down or by looting any shops," he said.

"As upsetting and terrible that the murder that took place - and it is shocking, that also just made me cringe - I just think to myself how wonderful a country is Australia."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Australia