A large protest opposing the closure of remote indigenous communities in WA has shut down streets in central Melbourne. Several thousand people gathered outside the city's main railway station Flinders Street at 4pm on Friday. 'Enough is enough - where is the justice for Aboriginal people?' a speaker shouted to the crowd before the walk through CBD streets, flanked by police. This comes as the Queensland Police Service refuses to issue an apology to an Indigenous officer after claims the word 'Abor' was written on his station roster by a senior sergeant, the ABC reports. Protesters march through the streets of Melbourne on Friday afternoon against government plans to close down remote indigenous communities in Western Australia . Several thousand people gathered outside the city's main railway station Flinders Street at 4pm on Friday . Protesters take part in a traditional smoking ceremony in Melbourne during the rally . Indigenous leaders have also been highly critical of the state government's plans, which could involve the forced removal of more than 1000 people . The rally forced the closure of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, where surrounding streets soon became clogged with cars and trams forced to stop. Rally goers gathered again outside Flinders Street station, blocking the intersection, just on 5pm. Police, on foot and on riot horses, followed the marchers all the way. Jason Maxwell, 31 of South East Dandenong Ranges, was among the protesters. 'I disagree, strongly disagree, in selling out on the aboriginal communities just for money,' Mr Maxwell told AAP. Rally goers gathered again outside Flinders Street station, blocking the intersection, just on 5pm . One protester walks around with a flag saying 'No Room For Racism' during the protest . The rally forced the closure of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, where surrounding streets soon became clogged with cars and trams forced to stop . He said the WA and Federal governments should recognise the importance of the link between indigenous people and their lands, and it was wrong to describe this as a lifestyle choice. 'It is the worst thing that a modern government could ever say,' Mr Maxwell said. 'It's a political tool to separate us, and I think it is wrong.' The protesters did not enjoy universal support, with a heckler heard to shout 'move over to WA'. Hugh Jackman spoke up against the West Australian government's effort to shut down as many as half of the state's 270 remote communities . Just last month, Hollywood star Hugh Jackman spoke up against the West Australian government's effort to shut down as many as half of the state's 270 remote communities. In a message posted on social media, Jackman said: 'While living in a remote community I came to understand the 'connection' to land is a fundamental part of Indigenous identity, think about the past, have quality conversations. I SUPPORT YOU'. Indigenous leaders have also been highly critical of the state government's plans, which could involve the forced removal of more than 1000 people. Following this is an ABC report of a senior sergeant referring to an Indigenous officer as 'Abor' on a station roster and also writing 'gay' next to the name of another at Coolangatta Police Station. The two Queensland officers reportedly sought an apology as they lodged complaints regarding the senior sergeant to the Anti-Discrimination Commission. However the ABC believes both the police service and senior officer have refused to make the apology, as the two incidences had been taken 'out of context'. The senior sergeant further refuted the claims and also blamed officers for taking notes from his desk. The matters are currently before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Several thousands of protesters gathered in Melbourne at 4pm on Friday.
The rally forced the closure of Flinders and Elizabeth streets.
They are against the closure of remote indigenous communities in WA.