Australian Senator Struggles With Police, Falls to Ground While Protesting Anti-Trans Rally

Australian independent senator Lidia Thorpe was filmed being grabbed by a police officer from behind and falling to the ground while protesting an anti-trans rights rally outside Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, March 23.

Footage by local journalist Sarah Basford Canales captured the incident, and shows Thorpe fall after the struggle with the officer.

The Canberra Times reported the senator was trying to intervene as British anti-trans rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, spoke.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it was “aware of a matter relating to protests near Australian Parliament House today.”

“The interactions between the AFP and protesters will be reviewed, and an incident has been referred to the AFP’s Professional Standards Command,” the AFP said. “Given a matter is now under investigation, no further comments will be made.”

Speaking to media after the incident, Thorpe said she was “pulverised by the police,” The Australian reported. Credit: Sarah Basford Canales via Storyful