It was hailed as the biggest and best ever but not everyone was feeling the love at the 40th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday night.
Shocking footage has emerged of a cowardly attack on the night, where three males were captured repeatedly kicking another on the ground as he cried out for help.
It’s understood the shocking assault occurred on George Street after the parade, according to 7 News.
This brutal attack on George Street after the Mardi Gras parade was one of several assaults on the night
‘This is just pure evil, what has this world come to seriously kicking a man while down, three people on one,’ one woman posted on Facebook.
Another added: ‘Instead of just filming it how about stepping in and defending the poor bloke.’
Police are on the hunt for the attackers involved in the incident and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The brutal incident was one of several assaults on the night but police were pleased with the behaviour of most people who packed the Sydney CBD for the celebrations, as 12,500 parade participants and 195 floats marched along Liverpool, Oxford and Flinders streets.
Police arrested 15 people for offences including assault, offensive conduct, malicious damage, drug possession, and refusing to comply with police directions.
High-visibility policing Operation Langdale with 1000 officers deployed for the event.
NSW Police also took part in the Mardi Gras parade, which marked 22 years since the organisation was first represented
NSW Police were pleased with the behaviour of most people who packed the Sydney CBD for the celebrations
Operation Langdale officers, including specialist police from the Dog Unit, also conducted an operation at the parade’s after party where 42 people were charged with possess prohibited drug after illicit drugs were allegedly located and one man was charged with deem supply prohibited drug.
There were also a number of drug overdoses with St Vincent’s Hospital reporting double the number of admissions, according to 7 News.
‘There was extensive planning and collaboration between stakeholders with a shared focus on delivering a safe and fun Mardi Gras for the 40th anniversary, and I’m pleased we were able to achieve that with few exceptions,’ Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell said.
‘Most people were well behaved, however, there was a small minority who refused to heed police advice. They were quickly identified and dealt with accordingly.’
Partying ’till dawn: Thousands of revellers were still partying at first light as council workers began a big clean up of Sydney’s streets after the largest Mardi Gras parade the city has ever seen. Pictured: Party-goers make their way home
See you next year: A neon sign invited revellers back to the 41st Mardi Gras parade next year as a group assembled next to it before heading home
Revellers were still partying at dawn as council workers began a big clean up of Sydney’s streets after the largest Mardi Gras parade the city has ever seen.
They drank beers in the street and danced in parks while others made their merry way home after a long night on the tiles.
Half a million revellers flocked to Sydney’s Oxford Street as the city transformed with colour and glitter for the 40th Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night.
As the night wore on, happy party-goers lost their inhibitions and let their enthusiasm flow as rainbow banners flew overhead.
The long road home: Revellers walked arm in arm as they headed back after a night of wild partying. Others mingled in the streets, unwilling to let the party end
Morning stroll in the park: A couple of revellers headed home on foot after a night on tiles for the 40th Mardis Gras parade
Making their way: Three revellers made their way down a messy street which was strewn with take away boxes in the centre of the city
The party never stops: Two revellers smoke in the street while a pub worker sweeps rubbish in the street outside his establishment
Dancing in the park: Two men relaxed in the park on their way home as one appeared a little worse for wear
Brave outfits: One man walked home in just his underwear, completing his look with some neon pink trainers while another spoke to a security guard at the end of his night
Waiting for their taxi: a group of revellers waited on the side of the road to be taken home after the 40th Mardis Gras parade
The streets were covered in rubbish after the parade as pub workers and council workers began a big clear up
One raven-haired reveller was seen donning a red spaghetti-strapped dress paired with knee-high fishnet tights and black sunglasses
Emergency services were on hand throughout the evening to make sure the biggest Mardi Gras ever went off without a hitch
One raven-haired reveller was seen donning a red spaghetti-strapped dress paired with knee-high fishnet tights and black sunglasses while resting on the side of the road.
Another exhausted attendee in a floral shirt checked his phone as he rested on the side of the kerb following the celebrations.
Two friends appeared in high spirits as they were spotted chatting aside an empty box of beer, with one of the pair holding a wine glass.
A number of other celebrators were seen turning to their mobile devices as they sorted out their next move.
Saturday’s celebration was expected to attract a record crowd as organisers take the chance to look back on defining moments in the event’s history.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers have flocked to Sydney’s famous Oxford Street as the city transforms with colour and glitter for the 40th Mardi Gras parade
Saturday’s celebration is expected to attract a record crowd as organisers take the chance to look back on defining moments in the event’s history
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy made an appearance the Dykes on Bikes and Boys on Bikes kicked off the evening’s festivities.
Mr Turnbull described the parade as a ‘wonderful part of Sydney’.
‘It’s 40 years old and 40 years ago Lucy and I had our first date so our love affair is a result of Mardi Gras,’ Mr Turnbull said.
About 200 floats will make their way up the popular strip from 7pm, including a group of 250 people who were involved in the original 1978 demonstration and subsequent riot.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy made an appearance the Dykes on Bikes and Boys on Bikes kicked off the evening’s festivities
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the parade dressed in an assortment of eye-catching outfits
The couple, who has been together for eight years, brought along their four-year-old daughter Mackie.
When asked what Mardi Gras meant to her, Mackie simply answered ‘marriage equality’.
There’s speculation pop superstar Cher – the headline act at the official party – could make a surprise appearance during the parade.
Mardi Gras creative director Greg Clarke stopped short of confirming the rumours but insisted people would not be disappointed.
Others dressed in colourful garments as they watched the parade floats go by from the sidewalk, where hoards of people gathered
Samba dancers performed at the parade – which has become a custom at Mardi Gras parades across the globe
‘She has come all this way and … I’m sure she’s going to want to be in that parade,’ he told ABC news on Saturday.
‘A big surprise.’
More than 1000 police officers will keep a close eye on revellers as part of a huge security operation that will also involve strategically parked vehicles, an intelligence crew, mounted police, the riot squad and sniffer dogs.
Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell urged partygoers to look out for one another and plan their night ahead.
A number of roads will be closed, while thousands will be using public transport before and after the parade.
A total of 195 floats took part in the parade which was witnessed by some wearing budgy smugglers with knee-high white socks
Some participants couldn’t contain their excitement as they rolled past hundreds of thousands of people revelling in the party atmosphere
Mardi Gras creative director Greg Clarke insisted people would not be disappointed by what was in store at the parade
More than 1000 police officers kept a close eye on revellers as part of a huge security operation on the night
The security operation also involved strategically parked vehicles, an intelligence crew, mounted police, the riot squad and sniffer dogs
‘Police have been working with parade organisers and the LGBTIQ community to ensure a safe and fun night for all those taking part and supporting the event,’ he said on Saturday.
Some of the highlights of the night will include a giant champagne bottle to be popped at Taylor Square and a same-sex wedding ceremony during the parade.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting mild temperatures and mostly clear skies.
A number of roads were closed, while thousands used public transport to get to the parade on Saturday night
A same-sex wedding ceremony was also scheduled to take place during the 40th anniversary of the parade in Sydney
Rainbow-coloured flags were worn as singlets, wrapped around bodies as capes and dangled from motorcycles