Partygoers took to the streets of Sydney following the city’s annual pride parade and, while spirits were high, there will be a more than a few sore heads today.
Thousands partied through the night to celebrate the 47th Mardi Gras after 11,000 people marched athrough inner-Sydney.
Daylight images showed the aftermath, with litter and empty bottles strewn along Oxford Street as revellers made their way home.
The parade was labelled a ‘success’ by NSW Police despite four men being arrested.
A 57-year-old man was arrested on Denham St about 9.20pm, after allegedly attempting to manoeuvre his vehicle around mounted unit officers to get through a police road closure.
The man also allegedly threatened a news cameraman during the arrest.
He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, before going to hospital for a pre-existing condition.
A 33-year-old man was arrested for the alleged assault of a security guard on Bourke Street, a a 48-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly inappropriately touched a woman and punched a man who was with her.
Litter was strewn across Oxford Street as revellers make their way home on Sunday morning
A 22-year-old man was also arrested on Crown Street after allegedly climbing onto a police bus.
Operation Commander Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith said the overall behaviour of crowds at the Mardi Gras parade was ‘pleasing’.
Earlier in the evening, tens of thousands of people lined Oxford Street and craned necks from rooftops and balconies to catch a glimpse of 181 floats taking part in the parade.
A sea of fluorescent colour, eye-capturing costumes and thousands of people just looking to join the fun overtook central Sydney well after the parade drew to a close.
Anthony Albanese had earlier marched for the third time as prime minister while Deputy Premier Prue Car was among several state ministers joining public servants in NSW government floats.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe made an appearance this year after she brought the parade to a temporary halt two years ago when she lay down on the road in front of a float.
Mardi Gras is a celebration of how far the community has come, but sadly marks an uptick in verbal abuse, threats of violence and assaults, Equality Australia said.
‘It’s a reminder that for many people in our communities, particularly trans people, such targeted acts of hate are a year-round occurrence and that despite our gains we are still fighting for equal rights and protections in the law,’ chief executive Anna Brown said.
