Vandals have torched a Commonwealth Games countdown clock in Brisbane, claiming their actions were in retaliation for protesters being arrested on the Gold Coast.
Footage posted online shows the unnamed activists pouring accelerant onto the clock, which was initially used for a 1,000-day countdown before the Games.
Throughout the Games, Indigenous activists have protested at sporting venues and outside Channel 7 live broadcasts — calling the event the "Stolenwealth Games".
Five people, including former Northern Territory youth detainee Dylan Voller, were arrested on Friday for refusing to cooperate with police.
In a statement, the activists who torched the clock accused police of using "excessive force on young people, people with disabilities, and elders".
"Our action is in no way endorsed by Stolenwealth Games organisers and protestors (who have no knowledge of it), but they have our solidarity through this and more practical acts," the statement said.
"This isn't the Queen's Land. The time to decolonise is now, for healing the land and healing the people of the land."
A police spokeswoman said the surfboard countdown clock, located in South Bank, was damaged between 12:10am and 12:20am on Saturday.
"Police are aware of a wilful damage incident involving a Commonwealth Games countdown clock at the South Bank Parklands," she said.
No arrests have been made and police are investigating.
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games chairman Peter Beattie said the word "solidarity" had also been spray-painted at the site.
"If that's what means solidarity — that's my understanding of stupidity," he said.
"You can actually protest without there being damage to property or damage to people. I think your message is a lot more powerful if that's the case," he said.
Mr Beattie and Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg said they supported the right to protest, as long as it was peaceful.
