Anti-vaccine protesters swarm National Press Club ahead of Scott Morrison appearance

Protesters have caused a scene outside a building where Prime Minister Scott Morrison is delivering a major address.

Scott Morrison’s address to the National Press Club has gone ahead despite the threat from protesters who descended on the building.

Hundreds of anti-vaccine protesters chanting “no more boosters” and “we will not comply” swarmed the press club building in Canberra ahead of the Prime Minister’s national address.

Amid the drama, Mr Morrison was ushered in the back entrance of the building as many questioned if the event would even go ahead.

The Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP arriving at National Press Club for his address. Police lining the driveway. Protesters mainly at the front of the building. pic.twitter.com/tzxaoJi96K

— Shuba Krishnan (@ShubaSKrishnan) February 1, 2022

While many of the nation’s most senior politicians and journalists were inside the building for the address, protesters outside streamed audio of the event to the crowd.

One protester provided running commentary after each sentence, which was met with cheers from the group.

Many of the protesters were draped in Australian flags. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

But as the speech continued, the verbal abuse from protesters to journalists stationed outside the building intensified.

“Shame on you,” they screamed.

On Twitter, ABC host and National Press Club president Laura Tingle brushed off the scene as “just another day in the office”.

Another day at the office ⁦@PressClubAust⁩ pic.twitter.com/PftTa4AFqL

— Laura Tingle (@latingle) February 1, 2022

Hundreds of protesters have descended on the National Press Club. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

One woman was believed to be frantically organising a second party to move around the back to surround the building, meeting opposition from the Australian Federal Police.

Swarms of protesters surrounded the building. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The protesters are part of the “Convoy to Canberra”, which was inspired by a similar move in Canada which encourages people who are anti-vaccine and anti-vaccine mandate to make their voices heard.

More than 200 cars, trucks and vans were parked overnight within the Parliamentary Triangle, within reports more demonstrators making their way to Canberra to join the ongoing protest.

Protesters blocked the entrance to the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

An attendee at the protest at Parliament House on Monday said there were “multi-layered” reasons people were there.

“You serve us, you serve us,” they chanted while surrounding a police car that was forced to retreat.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the entrance to Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In other instances, they yelled “sack them all” and “shame”.

The AFP had closed off all entrance points to Parliament House on Tuesday with only pass holders able to drive through.

Originally published as Anti-vaccine protesters swarm National Press Club ahead of Scott Morrison appearance