AS IT HAPPENED, WATCH THE VIDEO: Christian leaders arrested after silent protest in Bendigo
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Nine christian leaders were arrested and are expected to be charged on summons after a silent protest in Hargreaves Mall yesterday.
Love Makes A Way asylum seeker movement representatives were handcuffed and taken into custody during a protest aimed at raising awareness of children held in detention centres.
Members of the group represented a cross section of central Victorian Christian organisations. The group staged a sit-in in the foyer of the office of Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and were joined by a team of supporters in the mall.
Bendigo sergeant Steve Rainey said the protesters had not warned the office staff prior to the event.
"There was a number of people outside doing a peaceful protest but a number of them had gone inside the office basically barricading the staff inside," he said.
Sergeant Steve Rainey said as a result of the protesters not leaving when asked, police arrested and questioned them.
Sergeant Rainey said there was an element of concern for the office building staff.
"There is an element of fear, in that they are locked in and not able to move," he said.
"It's a bit of an unknown quantity as to what may or may not escalate.
"They don't know these (protesters)."
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed nine people were arrested after the incident.
They were questioned at Bendigo Police Station and released pending summons.
She said they were arrested on account of refusing to comply with staff.
Protest organiser Dave Fagg said the group were released pending summons.
"We can expect a summons in the mail where they will give us a charge, expected to by trespass," he said.
"I think that we were able to communicate to Ms McKenzie the issue is one that needs all of our moral attention."
Senator McKenzie is in Canberra for the week.
Mr Fagg said the group would follow up the communication with Senator McKenzie in the week following her return to Bendigo.
He said the group made numerous attempts to contact Ms McKenzie.
"We couldn't get a meeting," he said.
St Paul's Anglican Cathedral Dean the Very Reverend John Roundhill said the group were concerned about children in detention centre.
He said the group had gathered earlier in the morning.
This is the first times any such action has taken place outside of a major metropolitan area.
People taking part have included priests, pastors and nuns from the Uniting, Catholic, Baptist, Anglican and Pentecostal churches, as well as from the Jewish faith.
Those participating in the sit-in include: the Very Rev. John Roundhill: Dean of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral; Rev. Gordon Bannon, Uniting Church minister; Dylan Le Clerc, Pentecostal pastor; Michelle Rankin, Eaglehawk community worker; Jonathan Cornford, Community member; Tracey Wolsley, School chaplain; Carl Rusbridge, School chaplain Anthea Taylor, School chaplain and Dave Fagg, Community worker.
Mr Roundhill said he had involved himself in the sit-in because “children matter”.
He said detaining children impacted the people in Bendigo more than realised.
"It's a big enough issue to be doing this here," he said.
Senator Bridget McKenzie said she would welcome the group if they requested a meeting with her.
She said the group arrived at her office requesting to speak with her.
"Unfortunately for me it was a sitting week," she said.
"They arrived unannounced at my office despite my unavailability to meet with them.
"It is disappointing they could not have made an appointment to discuss the issue."
She said her staff acted in a proper manner when confronted with the situation.