'Say sorry now!' Hundreds attend protest for activist after his 'brutal' arrest
Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside a Sydney police station in a demonstration against the “brutal” arrest of an iconic Sydney activist.
Danny Lim, 74, who walks Sydney’s streets wearing a sandwich board emblazoned with political and social messages was arrested at Barangaroo on Friday.
But many were left outraged surrounding his treatment after video shared by Niki Anstiss emerged of his arrest on Facebook. His arrest was described as “bullying” and “absolutely disgusting”.
NSW Police haven’t commented on whether the arrest was heavy-handed, but confirmed to Yahoo News a 74-year-old man was detained by officers for “offensive behaviour”.
On Sunday, about 150 people – including Mr Lim himself – gathered outside a Sydney police station in protest of the arrest.
Many protesters carried signs demanding NSW Police apologise to Mr Lim.
Tyson Koh, from Keep Sydney Open, demanded Mr Lim be allowed “free speech” in a “peaceful, loving society”.
“More people like Danny Lim, not less,” Mr Koh said.
Another protester carried a sign, which read “Nobody phunks with our Danny and Smarty (the dog)”.
“Say sorry now!” the sign reads.
About 5300 said they were attending on the Facebook event’s page but reportedly about 150 attended.
Mr Lim, wearing a large sign calling on politicians to act on chemical contaminations, thanked the crowd and those who had recorded his arrest on their phones.
“I couldn’t thank them enough,” he said.
“I asked for help, help, I told them I had to pick up my dog Smarty.”
Mr Lim says he has PTSD but urged people to “have a heart” and fight injustice for their children and grandchildren.
“The biggest injury which everyone must be able to take is when they try to break you, your mind, your heart, don’t let them do it,” he said.
His lawyer, Bryan Wrench, told the crowd the pair would not tolerate “political censorship”.
“The only thing offensive was how they treated Danny on that day, and Smarty,” he said.
“We are not going to let this go. We are going to fight all the way.”
Mr Wrench represented Mr Lim in 2017 when a District Court judge overturned a conviction and fine after finding a similar sign worn in 2015 mocking then-prime minister Tony Abbott was unlikely to offend the average Australian.
Images emerged on Facebook on Saturday of Mr Lim’s injuries that he claims occurred at the hands of police.
The photographs show bruises across Mr Lim’s arms as well as some lacerations.
The image has been shared more than 900 times.
One user labelled his injuries and treatment as “disgusting”.
“Wishing you all the best Danny with your recovery,” one woman wrote. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
