Protesters and police have become embroiled in a stand-off at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.
Authorities descended on the park in an attempt to clear away an Indigenous tent embassy ahead of construction of Brisbane’s Olympic stadium beginning next week.
Dozens of officers arrived to pack up tents in the park and move the group along, supported by firefighters and motorcycle police.
Protesters were given until 2pm to vacate before forced removals begun, but organisers refused.
Shortly after the deadline, police descended on the camp and forced their way through, tearing down the tents.
Dozens of police formed a barricade as tents were being torn down.
Protesters remained at the scene shouting at officers.
Queensland Police earlier arrested two protesters.
A further two were arrested after the scuffle at 2pm, according to the Courier Mail.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said a man and woman had been taken into police custody from the park.
“Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers are at Victoria Park supporting partner agencies as they undertake engagement, offers of support services and compliance action, if necessary, with a focus on maintaining community safety and ensuring the safety of all involved,” he said.
“During today’s initial engagement, a man and a woman were taken into police custody in relation to obstruct and assault police offences.
“The QPS is committed to continuing to work with the community and our partner agencies.”
Some protesters vowed to remain put, chanting “always was, always will be Indigenous land”.
One group reportedly left the park peacefully, however, a second group has refused to budge.
The park must be transferred to those behind the stadium construction on Monday, June 1.
However, officers began moving along protesters on Friday.
Local community leader Derek Oram Sandy said the tent embassy would remain in place over the weekend.
“Come up to that date, that time [Monday], we won’t be going anywhere,” he told Sky News.
“With their rules of fixed property, all of our tents aren’t fixed, permanently fixed. They’re all just temporary structures. So as a tent embassy we can have temporary structures on Crown lands.
“So if they do force us to pack down the tents, we’ll pack down the tents but we won’t be putting out the fire. Because the sacred fire is valid under the Human Rights Act, section 28 and section 26 And I have a right to maintain my culture and ceremony and not be forced into assimilation.”
One protester told camera crews the encampment sat on his land, “sacred land”.
He began playing clap sticks and told reporters to hear the sound “of your lies”.
Another protestor vowed to stay at the camp “as long as it takes”.
“This my grandchildren’s country here, my granddaughter,” he said.
Greens Councillor Seal Chong Wah said the police effort was “disgraceful”.
“We’re in reconciliation week and they’re doing this, Brisbane City Council, shame on you, Lord Mayor,” she said.
“For 80,000 years of the longest living culture in the world, and the Olympics should not be destroying this land.”
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie previously told protesters they were given sufficient opportunity to leave the area before it became a construction site.
Tensions boiled over on Tuesday – National Sorry Day – when contractors began erecting fences for the construction of Brisbane Stadium during a press conference held by opponents of the stadium.