Sydney anti-lockdown protest: 32 arrests during massive police operation

Police have arrested anti-lockdown protesters at ‘Freedom Day’ rallies across NSW on Saturday, as violence erupted at marches in Melbourne.

Despite fears thousands would again clash with police in protest over Sydney’s lockdown restrictions, a reduced number of protesters attended as ‘Freedom Day’ rallies fizzled out on Saturday.

A mega police presence around the two locations thwarted potentially violent scenes officers have already been twice faced with, as some protesters reportedly went home after being greeted by a wave of blue at the planned rallies.

A total of 32 people were arrested across the state, with 20 in Sydney, as police handed out 265 penalty infringement notices to protesters.

“If you look at today’s results our actions have been very professional and well received by the public,” Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said.

A protester is arrested near Main Beach, Byron Bay after a freedom protest moved from the courthouse to the beachfront on Saturday. Picture: Liana Boss

A woman was detained and searched by police at Bass Hill Shopping Plaza. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

An anti-lockdown protester at Sydney Park is led away by police. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Some of the other arrests and fines stem from a protest of a about 100 people in Byron Bay, who took to the streets around the same time.

One protester — Zol Straub — said he travelled to Byron from Yamba because he was concerned about what he claimed was a “fear campaign” and “deprivation of liberties”.

It was a stark contrast to the wild scenes in Melbourne as hundreds engaged in brawls with police, who used pepper spray to hold back violent crowds trying to access several points around the CBD.

Police arrest a protester in Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

Protesters there broke through police lines, leading to multiple violent confrontations which saw one officer hit in the face with a bottle as a man drove at him with an umbrella.

MELBOURNE: Police make arrests as protesters breach restrictions

About 1500 officers in Sydney had swarmed on Sydney Park and Bass Hill Plaza as organisers revealed the locations on encrypted group chats an hour before their 12pm start time.

Police deployed roadblocks and several checkpoints, stopping hundreds of motorists around the Sydney Park location before some attempted to outwit them by using a live traffic app.

The protesters were communicating to each other about potential police movements as seen on traffic monitoring app “Waze” as they attempted to reconvene at the Bass Hill shopping centre.

Others, according to their online group chat, were reportedly driving around the proposed rally sites and reporting back the location of roadblocks and police numbers in the area.

“Bring your friends and arrive early. Blend in. Be ready to join the crowd,” organisers of the World Wide Rally For Freedom told protesters.

A roadblock in Annandale as part of a police action to stop a Freedom Rally planned for Sydney Park. Picture: Tim Hunter

Glebe motorists warned about the mass rally being planned and the police operation in place. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Police are out in force in Rozelle to stop planned marches. Picture: Julian Andrews

Police traffic roadblock in Rozelle. Picture: Julian Andrews

Traffic banked up in Annandale as police try to prevent protesters from joining the “Freedom Rally”. Picture: Julian Andrews

Some on the encrypted chats told others to pretend they were “just going to Woolies” at Bass Hill Plaza but when they arrived many reported they were going home because no one showed up.

Among the conspiracies being touted on the group chat is that members of the NSW Police are disguising themselves as protesters and deliberately starting violence.

Police will be out in force this weekend to head off any protests. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Officers hit the streets in Alexandria this morning. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

So chaotic was the organisation of the rally that barely any of them bothered to respond to two other locations being proposed after police nullified their efforts at Sydney Park and Bass Hill.

“I think a few of those protesters changed their mind after (the first protest),” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.

“I think they saw that was not only enforced on the day but there were follow up operations to identify those who were in breach of the public health order but those who assaulted police horses and officers.”

Police roadblock on Parramatta Rd at Annandale. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Police gather ahead of a mass rally at Sydney Park. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Police Minister David Elliott earlier urged protesters planning to turn up to “stay at home,” warning they are putting the easing of restrictions in jeopardy.

Mr Elliott said those who broke the law would face the consequences.

“There will be a strong police presence in the city in preparation of the protest,” he said.

“Given how quickly we are heading towards the easing of restrictions, I’m appealing to protesters to reconsider and stay at home.”

Police at Sydney Park today. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

“We’ve seen past protesters end up contracting Covid-19, so anyone who is still considering protesting needs to take a good hard look at themselves.”

It comes as the third weekend in several months that police have moved out in force to stop anti-lockdown protests.

An initial protest in late July saw thousands flock to the CBD in a violent gathering which saw police assaulted and pelted with pot plants as well as a police horse punched.

A second gathering organised on August 21 was swiftly shut down by police, while more than 70 smaller protests outside dozens of local council buildings 10 days later saw more than 600 Covid fines issued.

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