Hundreds march against COVID vaccine in Sydney
Celebrity chef turned political hopeful Pete Evans was a guest speaker at the Sydney protest against COVID vaccines today, using his speech to express his anti-vax views.
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Celebrity chef Pete Evans has addressed hundreds of anti-vax protesters at a rally in Sydney today, using his speech to spread mistrust in the media promote his run for NSW senator.
“No one’s coming to save you except you,” he told the rally.
He used his speech to thank Rod Culleton for inviting him into his Great Australian Party.
“Last year I begged others to do this for me, I begged others who I thought could change the future of Australia. I f***king begged.
“In the back of my mind there was this scared little guy going ‘you know you’re gonna have to do this’.”
Despite having a successful career in the media before espousing his anti-vax views, Evans at one point in his speech criticised the “broken” media.
He said when he was employed in the media, he urged “powerful people” to broadcast his alternate views.
“We all have the ability to turn off the television, we have the ability to lead ourselves. I’m a big fan of modern medicine and ancient wisdom and natural therapies,” he said.
Evans ignored questions from The Sunday Telegraph when asked about his views, but instead posed with adoring fans.
Also speaking at the rally were well-known anti-vax influencer couple Taylor and Frank Winterstein.
“This is the biggest turnout I’ve ever seen and I've been to a lot of rallies,” Taylor said.
The influencer used her speech to say masks and lockdowns don’t work.
“Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re crazy, like you are a conspiracy theorist,” she said.
Organisers said they estimated 800 people were at the rally, and when the ‘celebrity’ speakers took to the stage there was no social distancing in the crowd.
The crowds marched through the CBD creating a traffic headache, chanting “Aussie Aussie Aussie” and “my body, my choice”.
Many protesters said they are not anti-vax, however also said the vaccine is “DNA altering” and they wouldn’t get it.
Despite the government repeatedly saying the COVID-19 vaccines will not be mandatory, the protesters are fighting against perceived “medical coercion”.
Evans, a celebrity chef turned COVID conspiracy theorist, has been banned from Instagram for spreading misinformation.
The protest descended on all major cities in Australia on Saturday, with the Sydney event holding prizes for the best signs and children’s activities.
The event organisers said there were “no worries” because they had obtained a police permit for the protest.
“A police operation will take place in Hyde Park on Saturday, February 20, 2021, for a planned protest,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command have received a Form 1 from the event organisers.
“NSW Police supports the rights of individuals and groups to protest peacefully, and officers will be monitoring the group and ensuring they comply with current COVID requirements.”
Taylor Winterstein, a high profile anti-vaccine influencer and wife of former NRL star Frank Winterstein posted on Instagram her signs for the day.
“I plan to survive the coronavirus by doing the exact opposite of what the government and TV experts recommend,” one sign said.
The rally comes as Facebook banned all sharing of links from Australian news sites while allowing anti-vax and COVID denying pages to remain active.
More Coverage
Covid cases surge in NSW as 2023 death toll revealed
Covid cases are on the rise in NSW, and the true toll of the virus this year has been revealed, with almost 4000 Australians dying from the virus in 2023.
Revealed: The Aussie age group still dying from Covid
Twenty-three Australians are dying every day from Covid-19 - but one age group continues to dominate the numbers. Find out who is most at risk.