Standoff on Melbourne's Bolte Bridge
Police in Melbourne are engaged in a tense standoff with a graffiti artist who climbed one of the 120-metre high pillars of the Bolte Bridge early Tuesday morning. The man allegedly abseiled down the pillar and painted a giant Pam the Bird tag, a recurring illegal graffiti symbol on Melbourne landmarks, including heritage-listed buildings.
Police Negotiations Underway
A police spokesperson confirmed that officers are negotiating with the man to bring him down safely. “He is refusing to follow police direction and come down,” the spokesperson said. “There are a significant number of police resources in the area including uniform members and water police units.” Authorities stated there is no threat to the public or road users, though one lane of the bridge remains closed.
Social Media Demands
An Instagram page, @pambirdofficial, shared videos appearing to be from the top of the pillar, using the hashtag #notcomingdown. In one video, a caption reads: “Lower the taxes and drone me some fucken food! Let’s go boys and girls!” A man’s voice in the video adds: “I’m not coming down until they lower the taxes. Fucking sick of paying that shit.” Another video shows the man dangling his feet over the edge and zooming in on police below before making an obscene gesture toward officers. He later requested a blanket.
Government Response
The identity of the man remains unknown. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles commented to the ABC: “I think the system is handling the matter as it should … I think it’s appropriate that the legal process takes its course.” Emergency services remain on site as the standoff continues.
