Police forced to set up barricades to hold back activists
Furious Aboriginal activists clashed with police outside the Sunrise studio this morning.
Dozens stormed Sydney's Martin Place with flags and banners reading 'stop stealing our children' despite an all-Aboriginal panel being live on air to discuss indigenous issues.
Pictures showed activists making obscene gestures outside the studio as white concrete barricades blocked them from getting too close to the windows.
They were protesting against the show after a debate on adoption last week featured a panelist who said it was a 'no brainer' for abused Aboriginal children to be placed in white families.
Anger: Pictures showed activists making obscene gestures outside the studio as white barricades blocked them from getting too close to the windows
Fury: Dozens held flags and banners saying 'stop stealing our children' in Sydney's Martin Place
Activists were protesting against the show after a debate on adoption last week featured a panelist who said it was a 'no brainer' for abused Aboriginal children to be placed in white families. Pictured: Protesters today
Three activists take photos of the Sunrise studio as they are blocked from coming closer by police
Police stand outside the Sunrise studio in Sydney's Martin Place on Tuesday morning
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with aboriginal experts on the issue - something the activists have demanded.
Protester Elizabeth Wymarra wrote on Twitter: 'Barricade or not Coppers or not - we r still here! our presence still felt!' (sic).
She added: 'Coppers have barricaded public walkway to block protesters from protesting at #Sunrise7 Windows.'
Another protester shared a video of the protests with the caption: 'Protesters are currently being blocked by police from reaching the glass windows at Sunrise. This protest marks one week since the all-white panel called for more Stolen Generations of indigenous kids.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted New South Wales Police for comment.
One protester criticises sunrise with a sign outside the studios on Tuesday morning
An all-Aboriginal panel was live on air to discuss indigenous issue. Pictured: Presenter David Koch on Sunrise today
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with aboriginal experts (pictured) on the issue - something the activists have demanded
There were also protests outside the studio on Friday during which Channel Seven ran stock footage of Martin Place to avoid showing the group, who were accusing the show of spreading 'racist lies' against Indigenous Australians.
Hundreds of people arrived outside the set carrying Aboriginal flags and signs which read 'Scumrise', 'Sunlies' and 'Stop stealing our kids'.
But despite their strong presence, hosts Natalie Barr and Samantha Armytage presented the live show in front of routine scenes of workers walking through a tranquil Martin Place.
A Channel Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the decision was made to roll down soundproof blinds and use a 'generic backdrop' because of offensive signage and language.
At the time of the today's protest, Sunrise was airing a live discussion with experts on the issue - something the activists have demanded. Pictured: Today's protests
Protester Elizabeth Wymarra wrote on Twitter: 'Barricade or not Coppers or not - we r still here! our presence still felt!' (sic)
'We respect the right to protest as much as we respect the right of free speech ... some of the group were holding offensive signage and some began banging on the window and mouthing obscenities,' the spokesperson said.
'To ensure regulatory compliance, and bearing in mind the potential for young children to be watching, the decision was made to utilise a generic backdrop.'
The debate on adoption was sparked last week when assistant federal minister for children David Gillespie said the law should be changed to make it easier for white families to adopt indigenous children who were victims of abuse.
During last Tuesday morning's 'Hot Topic' segment on Sunrise, panelist Prue MacSween argued in favour of removing Aboriginal children from abusive families, saying the move would be a 'no brainer'.
'Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their well-being, we need to do it again, perhaps,' she said.
Friday's protest: Channel Seven ran stock footage of Sydney's Martin Place to avoid showing angry protesters (pictured)