800 anti-vax, vaccine mandate protesters gather in Port Lincoln for ‘freedom rally’

Around 800 protesters have marched in Port Lincoln calling for an end of Covid-19 vaccine mandates on the eve of the state’s reopening.

Hundreds of kilometres removed from South Australia’s opening borders, 800 protesters have marched through a regional city in protest of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

On the eve of the state’s reopening ‘freedom’ rallies were held nationwide with “pro choice individuals” gathering at Port Lincoln’s foreshore on Sunday in protest of vaccine mandates and what they described as government coercion.

Protesters carried signs preaching “my body my choice” and cheered in support of speakers contesting mandatory industry and education vaccinations.

Angela Hersey (right) and daughter Eve Hersey at an earlier rally in Adelaide. Picture: Angela Hersey

An attendee carries a Trump flag with a sign reading "#dontcryPRguy". Picture: Micaela Stark

Activist and organiser Angela Hersey said it was her mission to quash the societal segregation she claimed has been caused by the government’s approach to vaccination.

She said the protest’s purpose was to empower community members to own their choices.

“We are looking to stop the division that is forming within our society by sharing stories of compassion, hope and unity,” Ms Hersey said.

The Australian red ensign flag could be seen carried by various attendees at Sunday’s protest. Picture: Micaela Stark

Ms Hersey, who has a pre-existing health condition, fears what would happen to her children if she was to experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine.

“I’m a single mum, I’m the only one here to raise my kids and if something were to happen as a vaccine injury – which I’ve seen in people who have my same condition – the anxiety is debilitating,” she said.

Port Lincoln’s Jeff Garrison, who supports the Great Barrington Declaration, said he questioned the safety of the “dangerous” vaccine.

Owen Gudzenovs, also from Port Lincoln, didn’t consider himself an anti-vaxxer, rather an activist for
“people to be able to make their own decisions, independent of force, threat, deceit and coercion”.

Crowds gathered on the Port Lincoln foreshore to protest. Picture: Micaela Stark

The crowd, which include health care professional, cheered in support of Ms Hersey’s demands to “stop vaccinations in schools immediately” and chanted “you can stick the poisoned vaccine up your a***”.

Eighty-eight per cent of Eyre Peninsula residents have received their first dose and Eyre and Far North Local Health Network chief executive Verity Paterson said it was working to address pockets of the community that hadn’t.

“Vaccination is the best form of defence against Covid-19,” Mrs Paterson said.

Eyre and Far North Local Health Network chief executive Verity Paterson. Picture: Supplied

“We need to keep going to ensure the best protection for our communities.

“At this stage, our focus is on ensuring people are aware of the availability of vaccination, especially in our rural and remote communities.”

“We are aware of some pockets of people who don’t wish to get vaccinated or who are yet to, and we continue to work through ways to address this and provide advice and support to people who may have concerns.

“Our main concern is boosting vaccination rates in the far north where first dose rates are 66 per cent and 52 per cent fully vaccinated, which is why we strongly encourage anyone living in Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Marla, Glendambo and surrounds to get vaccinated.”