Manus Island protesters try to disrupt the Melbourne Cup

  • 07/11/2017
Manus Island protesters try to disrupt the Melbourne Cup
One of the pro-refugee signs outside Gosford Anglican Church. Photo credit: @FrBower

Refugee advocates attempted to disrupt the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday to protest the treatment of asylum seekers on Manus Island.

Two protesters scaled a large crane over the main concourse at Flemington, unfurling large banners reading 'EVACUATE MANUS NOW'.

A spokesperson for the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance told Huffington Post Australia they demanded that the Australian government immediately evacuate Manus and bring the asylum seekers to safety for processing.

"This is an emergency. This is an humanitarian crisis," said Charlotte Lynch of WACA.

"We refuse to sit by whilst the government, with the complicity of the Labor Party, puts over 600 men's lives at risk."

Meanwhile protesters drove a car spray painted with pro-refugee slogans onto train tracks at Ascot Vale to block services headed toward Flemington.

A report for 7 News tweeted that one man had been arrested at the train tracks.

Numerous banners have appeared throughout Melbourne, reading 'Sanction Australia'.

The pro-refugee campaign includes a social media effort to raise awareness for the Manus asylum seekers using the hashtag #MelbourneCup. 

Pro-refugee signs were spotted outside Gosford Anglican Church, known for its progressive billboards.

Newshub.