A group of radical Christian protesters allegedly smashed their way into a 200-year-old courthouse to set up a new ‘sovereign nation’, declaring it a ‘world class destination’.
The chaos unfolded at the National Trust building in York, about an hour east of Perth, on Friday morning, by a group who have dubbed their new country ‘New Westralia’.
In bizarre live streamed footage, one group member is allegedly seen smashing the door with a metal rod and tearing it down, before his comrades huddle into the building.
They are then accused of staging a sit-in as they attempted to declare their own sovereign nation – out to battle ‘dark forces’ in a ‘spiritual war’.
Police later stormed into the courthouse and arrested the group, while their apparent leader sat calmly in a chair, clutching onto a copy of the Bible.
Announcing the establishment of their new country, the group explained on its website that it wants to promote ‘the great adventure of life’.
A group of radical protesters allegedly stormed the National Trust building in Western Australia on Friday morning (pictured) The former courthouse has been around for 200 years
‘As a Christian nation, New Westralia strives to be a world class destination for spiritual vitality, enlightenment, meditation, wonder and expression,’ it read.
One member, Wade Guerin, explained to his followers that they were soon ‘under siege’, as police were called when the building’s alarm was triggered.
It is unclear what they hoped to do with the building.
But before their dramatic arrest, the group proudly raised their own ‘New Westralia’ flag, replacing what they called the ‘satanic’ Australian flag just moments before breaking in.
During the video the protesters are seen allegedly resisting police who repeatedly tell them to stand up.
Mr Guerin later shared on social media they were being taken away by police.
‘I don’t have time to answer questions as we are under siege at the current moment in York, Australia and staying strong in our court,’ he wrote.
One of the group members is seen allegedly busting down the building’s door as part of the unusual protest
‘Please do your research as much as possible, good people…I can only show you the way,’ he wrote.
‘We must all attempt our own escape and everything is in play to do so, trust me.
‘Let us all come together in unity.’
He also declared their new ‘kingdom’ a ‘legal entity’, and even claimed to have ‘diplomatic immunity’.
On the group’s website ‘Friends of New Westralia’, they claim to be a ‘peaceful society for the people native of the Dependencies of Western Australia’.
The group posted this document online (pictured) declaring their new nation’s mission statement
‘New Westralia is an open and inclusive societal structure with organic harmonies, friendships and associations,’ it reads.
‘Where local, regional and state politics benefit, with enduring international friendships and economic relationships secured by mutual appreciation and understanding of those sovereign interests.’
It also boasts having ‘world class resources’, as well as ‘commercial opportunities to encourage trade and technological aspirations’.
The website claims the nation is adept in numerous industries, including manufacturing, services, food, energy, education, health, IT and ‘scientific discovery’.
Three men and a woman were arrested and charged with criminal damage, trespassing, and obstructing police.
They were due to face court on Friday afternoon.
The group’s apparent leader (pictured) is seen clutching onto a copy of the Bible before police swarm into the building and arrest the group