Angry protestors have gathered outside Sydney’s Surry Hills police station after Sydney icon Danny Lim was injured following a violent arrest on Tuesday.

Danny Lim, 78, who is a well-known character in Sydney for his sandwich-board signs that often encourage passers-by to “smile”, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after being thrown to the ground in an attempted arrest by police in the Queen Victoria Building on Tuesday morning.

Shocked bystanders captured the incident as it unfolded, during which police forced Danny to the ground, with one officer looking to have tripped the elderly man, leading to Lim’s head hitting the tiles and resulting in a black eye and a bloody cheek.

He was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital where doctors said he is now in a stable condition, though his lawyer revealed that he is “in a very poor state” and “unable to communicate clearly” due to suspected head injuries.

Following the news of the beloved personality’s extensive injuries, protesters gathered outside Surry Hills police station on Wednesday in solidarity with Lim.

Posting a snap of the crowd holding signs that read “Stop the police brutality” and “Justice for Danny Lim”, ABC reporter Gavin Coote said, “Protesters have gathered outside the Surry Hills police complex, many with signs bearing similar phrases to Danny Lim’s sandwich boards, expressing solidarity for the 78yo activist and expressing anger at yesterday’s police response”.

Danny’s lawyer, Chris Murphy, gave an update on Lim, saying he was in a “serious condition”.

“Black eye, subdural haematoma and condition serious,” he said of Lim’s condition on Tuesday night, while sharing a photo of his injuries.

“For now I am very concerned about the subdural damage to his skull.”

Greens MP Sue Higginson took to Twitter amid the news to voice her support of Danny Lim.

“The Greens condemn the violent arrest of Sydney icon Danny Lim and have called on the Police Minister for an independent investigation. We also call on the Government to repeal the anti protest laws, for the right to protest to be protected and for real police accountability,” she wrote.

NSW Police released a statement on Tuesday night saying Lim’s arrest will be investigated.

“An independent review will examine the actions of police during the arrest of a 78-year-old man in Sydney’s CBD earlier today,” the statement said.

“Shortly before 11am, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called by security to a shopping complex on George Street after a male had failed to leave the building when asked.

“Police will allege the man was subsequently issued with a move on direction by officers and failed to comply.

“As inquiries into the incident continue, an independent review has been launched, which will examine the actions of police during the incident.”

You can view the video of Danny Lim’s violent arrest below.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine