An ‘unauthorised protest’ in Sydney’s central business district has heightened tensions ahead of Mardi Gras.

Tensions between the LGBTQ+ community and police have escalated at an “unauthorised protest” in Sydney’s CBD ahead of the Mardi Gras parade.

Around 300 protesters gathered at Taylor Square on Oxford Street, Surry Hills, at 8pm yesterday, shouting “No cops, No bigots” in response to police being allowed to march in the parade.

Police have described the rally as an “unauthorised protest” and allege that the crowd blocked traffic at 8.30pm.

With the assistance of additional police, the crowd were directed to move onto the footpath, and those who did not comply were physically removed.

The crowd later dispersed, with part of the group attending the Sydney Police Centre on Goulburn and Riley Streets, where they continued to protest.

Organizers of the protest claim that police instigated the violence and assaulted the crowd.

Advocate Evan van Zijl of Pride in Protest claimed that police violence, intimidation, and threats were nothing new.

He reported seeing cops hitting and shoving their friends and chosen family, threatening to pepper spray a stationary, non-violent crowd, and sustaining countless scrapes, cuts, and bruises.

NSW Police said no one was reported as injured, and there were no reports of property damage.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports police marching in the parade, stating that the relationship between the police and the community has improved over the years.

Local state member Alex Greenwich urged anyone planning stunts to refrain from taking the Mardi Gras parade away from them.