Thousands take to Melbourne’s streets as part of anti-lockdown protest

Several police officers have been taken to hospital, some with broken limbs and cuts to the neck, after wild scenes erupted in Melbourne as thousands of anti-lockdown protesters took to the streets in defiance of public health orders.

Police officers have been hospitalised and more than 200 people arrested in Melbourne following a violent protest in the CBD where police used pepper spray and OC foam canisters in an attempt to control the fiery crowds.

Chaotic scenes erupted soon after more than 4000 congregated in the CBD from about midday on Saturday to protest against the Covid-19 lockdown.

Police fired rubber bullets and deployed pepper spray on the streets of Melbourne as thousands gathered in defiance of the city’s public health orders.

Police deployed pepper spray as protesters gathered in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

The “Freedom Rally” gathering was held in defiance of public health orders. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

The “Freedom Rally” gathering, held in defiance of public health orders, is one of several protests planned in cities across Australia on Saturday.

Members of the majority maskless crowd chanted “sack Daniel Andrews” and “no more lockdown” while beating a gong and cheering.

Several people brought placards emblazoned with slogans such as “say no to the vaccine” and “no health advice, no compliance”.

Police fired rubber bullets into the crowd. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Violent clashes between protesters and police erupted soon after the protest began, with pepper spray being deployed.

Protestors have been accused of throwing projectiles at the police, including flares and bottles.

A heavy police presence was on Bourke St and around Parliament House, with officers also blocking off some CBD roads, before police managed to disperse some crowds and push them out of the CBD.

Police arrested 218 people, issued 236 fines and have three people in custody for assaulting police.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said seven people were injured, including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and others with concussions.

One officer was treated at the scene for a cut to his neck.

“The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them,” the spokesperson said.

“While there were some peaceful protestors in attendance, the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind.”

Every arrested protestor will be fined $5452 for breaching the CHO directions.

Protesters held signs and marched through the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Earlier, Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said $5500 fines would be handed out to those caught at the protest.

“The risk of spread of the virus is significant, my officers will do everything they can to hold those people to account who do attend when they shouldn‘t be,” he said.

“Every protester who we can identify and who we can apprehend will receive a $5,500 fine.

“It is just ridiculous to think that people would be so selfish to come and do this.”

The anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne has kicked off at the intersection of Little Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/e4o784Wkgn

— Laura Placella (@lauraplacella) August 21, 2021

A planned protest in Sydney appeared by the early afternoon to have been largely thwarted by a massive police presence.

Several hundred protesters were seen congregating around Broadway Shopping Centre and near Central Station, and footage from the scene depicted some attendees being restrained by police officers.

But a heavy police presence of 1500 officers was in place in a bid to prevent a repeat of Sydney’s anti-lockdown protest last month, which saw approximately 3500 people march through the CBD.

In an extraordinary move to quell the protest NSW Police also banned taxis, Uber and other rideshare services from driving passengers into the CBD and closed several major train stations.

More than 200 fines were issued to people breaching public health orders in Sydney, including 40 people put before the court.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed one police officer had been injured.

“It’s deplorable to think that despite the warnings that have been given over the past week and despite our current case numbers, that 250 People still thought it was appropriate to come into the city to protest,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

NSW Minister Police and Emergency Services David Elliott warned those who planned to protest at a later date to reconsider.

“I say to anyone who is considering that they may wish to protest in the weeks coming up: (NSW police) will have a highly visible presence and we will have a highly-organised presence,” he said

“We will be ready to stop people seeking to breach the health orders.”

Sydney protest underway. pic.twitter.com/XIa1vJixDw

— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) August 21, 2021

A protest also took place in the Brisbane CBD where an estimated 5000 people gathered at the city’s botanic gardens.

Protestors clapped and danced along to music and carried signs with anti-lockdown phrases such as “Safety is nothing without freedom” and warnings against Covid vaccines.

A QLD Police spokesperson said no arrests had been made so far.

Social media users took to Twitter to air their frustrations at those protesting.

“You’re not protesting for your rights and freedoms anymore, you still have those, they were never removed, you’re just walking the streets like spoiled toddlers wanting your pillages,” said one user.

“All I can think of right now is those poor health workers who will suffer the consequences of these idiotic and selfish protests,” another posted.

“Hopefully, all the Victoria Police officers are safe out there today as well. Full support to them.”

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Originally published as Thousands take to Melbourne’s streets as part of anti-lockdown protest