Protesters clash with police, riot squad in Byron Bay | Video

Police have arrested 11 people and issued 28 fines in Byron Bay as part of a 1700-officer response to protests in NSW.

What began as a peaceful, silent and small gathering outside the Byron Bay Courthouse escalated into the arrest of a handful of people.

Local police and Public Order and Riot Squad officers outnumbered protesters when the gathering began in Middleton Street about noon on Saturday.

But the crowd swelled and despite a direction from Byron-based Inspector Matt Kehoe to disperse, they remained, chanting for “freedom” and bearing signs opposing mandatory vaccination and bearing claims of tyranny.

NSW Police has confirmed 11 people were arrested and 28 fines were issued in Byron Bay.

One person was arrested and later fined at another protest in Tweed Heads.

Some remained peaceful while others hurled angry words at police.

Yamba man Zol Straub travelled all the way to Byron just for the protest.

Mr Straub said he was taking part because he felt freedoms were being eroded.

He expressed concerns about what he claimed was a “fear campaign” and “deprivation of liberties”.

Yambah man Yamba man Zol Straub at the freedom protest in Byron Bay on Saturday. Picture: Liana Boss

“The extra power police are getting is frightening … and this is all under the guise of an emergency order,” he said. Mr Straub said he felt state premiers across the political spectrum were “undermining people’s rights”.

“It’s time to sort of stand up … a lot of people that have similar views but are probably a bit scared of being involved,” he said.

Numerous people were arrested during the protest.

Protesters outside Byron Bay Courthouse on Saturday, September 18. A large police presence has been involved in a high visibility operation in Byron Bay. Picture Liana Boss,

The gathering grew outside the courthouse and after being ordered to move on, the group marched up and down a short distance of Middleton Street, but were impeded by police roadblocks.

After eventually dispersing from the front of the courthouse, protesters made their way to Apex Park at Main Beach where they clashed with police again.

The freedom protest in Byron Bay on Saturday, September 18. Picture: Liana Boss

Several people were arrested outside the courthouse and more were taken into custody when protesters moved to Apex Park at Main Beach.

There was also a heavy police presence on main routes into Byron Bay, including an RBT operation on Bangalow Road in the lead up to the protest.

According to NSW Police, 20 people were issued in the Greater Sydney area and 236 fines were issued there in response to further protest activity.

More than 1700 police were involved in a high-visibility operation across the state.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott highlighted that many people complied with public health orders instead of attending the protests.

“As always, we’ve seen the officers of NSW Police Force working together to keep us safe, and I thank them for their professionalism and commitment,” he said.

“We are close to reaching the end-goal, which will see the significant easing of restrictions, and I want to thank everyone who made the right choice today for the greater good of their loved ones and the entire state.”

Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said he was pleased police were able to disrupt the protest activity.

“We take the health and safety of the community extremely seriously and we are glad our policing response, supported by road and transport strategies, effectively reduced the movement crowds and potential for disruptive protest activity,” he said.

The protest came as Covid-19 virus fragments were again detected in Byron Bay sewage as well as in Lismore.

Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Lynne Weir said fragments were detected in samples from East Lismore, South Lismore and Byron Bay sewage treatment plants.