Anti-war activists arrested after climbing on tank at Brisbane’s Land Forces Australia defence expo

Anti-war protesters say they found their way inside a Brisbane defence expo and past police and security via an unlocked side door.

About 20 protesters got inside the Land Forces Australia expo at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and several climbed onto a tank that was on display.

One of the protesters locked himself to the tank with a bicycle D-Lock around his neck.

Police ordered a number of them to move on, but several were arrested.

The crowd of exhibitors and delegates cheered as the police arrested the protesters and took them down from the top of the tank, one by one.

In a video posted online a police officer can be heard saying “you are under arrest for trespass”.

Witnesses told the ABC that police handled the situation quickly and either moved protesters on or took them into custody.

The expo is in its second day and is showcasing military hardware and software from a range of international companies and contractors.

Second day of protests

In a statement, Disrupt Land Forces protest group spokesman Jarrah Kershaw said the event was being targeted because “these companies and the defence forces who buy their weapons are not welcome in Brisbane”.

“We do not welcome war criminals, corporate thieves and murderers,” he said.

On Tuesday, seven protesters were arrested amid scuffles with police as about 150 activists gathered outside the expo.

Protesters spread fake blood over the stairs and pavement outside the centre and heckled attendees and police.

Dozens of uniformed soldiers were also jeered as “war criminals”.