A police operation has begun clearing a group of protesters camped near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside Old Parliament House in Canberra.
ACT Police told NITV News the operation follows a request from the National Capital Authority (NCA) to “remove structures and vehicles that are on Commonwealth land without a permit”.
Demonstrators were seen yelling, “shame on you” at evicting officers.
Police say they will provide more information once the operation is completed.
Demonstrators linked to ‘sovereign citizen’ group
The protesters have been linked to a ‘sovereign citizen’ group who are opposed to COVID-19 vaccinations and have called for the federal government to be “evicted”.
Representatives linked to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which is set to celebrate its 50 year anniversary on January 26, have condemned their behaviour and stressed they are not linked with the group.
Several Aboriginal Nations have also released statements clarifying that specific individuals involved do not speak for their people.
The movement captured the nation’s attention after being linked to a fire at Old Parliament House on 30 December 2021.
Two men were arrested on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the fire.
A 30-year-old man from Bourke, New South Wales, was charged with arson, defacing and damaging property, assaulting a front line worker and resisting arrest.
The second man, a 38-year-old from Lindendale, NSW, was charged with assaulting a front line worker, obstructing a public official and breach of bail.
Another two men and a woman were also charged with “breach of the peace”.
Demonstrators and police clashed near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Thursday, with authorities using pepper spray to break up the group before arresting four people.
Protesters were heard chanting, "always was - always will be traditional sovereign land”.
January 26 precautions
The NCA, which is the Australian government agency responsible for the management of the precinct, has enlisted the Australian Federal Police to ensure safe proceedings on January 26.
“The NCA is working with local elders and event organisers of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy (ATE) 50th anniversary to permit them to continue their peaceful demonstration at this heritage-listed site, including a framework to ensure their 50th Anniversary celebration is as safe and successful as possible,” it said in a statement.
“In relation to the people currently camping who are not encompassed by a permit, the NCA has requested the AFP to take necessary action to enforce the laws and remove tents, camping infrastructure and vehicles from the site.”
Police say they will be closely monitoring the ‘sovereign citizen’ group’s activities in the lead-up to January 26.
