A small group of die-hard protesters have settled in for a long blockade at a Brisbane hotel, accusing the government of seeking to silence detained asylum seekers by moving them.
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Supporters of about 120 detainees are vowing to gather at the exits to stop access to the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel.
One climbed on to the roof of a transit van on Thursday night and activists used cars to block driveways. Two people have been charged with public nuisance.
Protest numbers dwindled throughout Friday, with 20 to 30 people on site, according to police, but a vigil planned for Friday afternoon could see numbers swell.
The Friday protests have been a regular event even throughout the coronavirus lockdown.
Protesters claim authorities are intent on relocating asylum seekers who have been in long-term detention at the hotel.
Brisbane City Greens councillor Jonathan Sri says protesters will continue their blockade on Friday and into Saturday, when a large rally is planned outside the hotel despite coronavirus warnings from the premier.
"I think if the premier is comfortable opening up schools and shopping malls, then a few people spaced out on a road is probably not that high a risk," Mr Sri told AAP on Friday.
"The bigger risk is the mental health of people in detention."
Mr Sri said there was a heavy Border Force presence at the hotel on Friday and people were continuing to arrive to ensure driveways remained impassable.
"We know the government is trying to move more refugees out of this facility, but we don't know when," he said.
"There is an explicit strategy by Border Force to silence the most vocal refugees and discourage further protests on site."
He said three men removed from the site on Thursday and Friday had all been talking to the media and involved in past protests.
Earlier on Friday, one detainee told the ABC that protesters had physically prevented his removal to the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation Centre on Thursday night.
The man, identified only as Farhad, said he was told he was being moved because protesters had mentioned his name.
"I do believe the reason is in my case, being outspoken and talking to the media, and trying to show what is the reality of this system and how we get treated."
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge declined to comment, saying detainee transfers were a matter for the Australian Border Force.
ABF has been contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
