Police say former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe was removed from Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade overnight after lying on the ground in front of a float.
A video from about 9pm on Saturday on Oxford Street shows the independent senator walking behind the NSW Police float yelling “f*** the police”, before lying down on her back in protest, momentarily halting the parade.
Two police officers then approach Senator Thorpe as the crowd begins to boo.
“Get rid of her! Get rid of her,” a person in the crowd can be heard chanting during the incident.
Senator Thorpe then got to her feet and could be seen talking with police and Mardi Gras crew.
Videos of the scene were shared across social media.
Senator Thorpe was escorted away by officers, but was not arrested.
NSW Police said she was removed by parade organisers for “breaching the terms of her participation”.
A spokesman for the Sydney Mardi Gras confirmed the parade had been interrupted by Senator Thorpe as she attempted to stage a protest.
“While we respect the individual’s right to protest, interrupting the parade in this way has significant implications for the safety of our participants and audience,” the spokesman said.
This morning, Senator Thorpe posted that she joined the Pride in Protest float to protest against police violence.
“Black and brown trans women started the first pride march as a protest against police violence,” she posted.
“Today, we still face violence from police. Proud to have joined the #PrideInProtest float in Sydney to say #NoPrideInGenocide, #NoPrideInPrisons, and #NoCopsInPride.”