Police have charged 15 activists in relation to a protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this morning.
About 5.15am today (Tuesday 14 May 2019), police responded to a number of persons on the walkway of the bridge, who were planning to protest by abseiling under the bridge, with the intention of unfurling banners.
It’s alleged the group blockaded security, allowing six members of the group to scale the fence and abseil below.
Officers from Sydney City Police District attended and detained seven people on the walkway and a further two who attempted to leave the location.
They were taken to Surry Hills and Day Street Police Stations.
Further specialist officers from the Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, together with Marine Area Command and negotiators were activated and attended the scene.
By 9.30am, all six remaining protesters were removed from beneath the bridge and arrested.
The 15 people arrested include ten men aged 70, 56, 48, 39, 38, 37, 34, 32, and two aged 27, as well as five women, aged 21, 26, and three aged 28.
They were charged with the following offences:
– Risk safety of another by climbing structure
– Wilfully prevent free passage of person/vessel
– Climb on any part of a bridge
– Enter enclosed land without lawful excuse
They have all been conditionally bailed to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
