Dargan became a main act at the Indigenous themed Yabun Festival held on January 26 and performed in front of an estimated 3000 people – 10 times the maximum crowd he has previously performed to.

But earlier that day he marched along with thousands in the controversial march during which a man was arrested for burning an Australian flag. But after this happened Dargan witnessed a musician from a heavy metal band making a speech and preparing to burn another flag about 500 metres from Victoria Park. 

The band formed a circle around the musician. “Eight police officers came barging in. They chucked tear gas in, not a huge amount but it was enough,” Dargan said. “I was two metres away from it but I walked into it. When they tear-gassed old mate (the musician) they dragged him and were rough with him.

“The media came running in with cameras. Everyone else was rushing in and then the whole crowd started chanting ‘let him go’. Everyone was walking forward, the cops let him go and backed off. That was powerful stuff.

“They did not have to throw tear gas in...they could have rushed in and grabbed him instead of tear-gassing a crowd.”