Pat Conaghan wants DPP to ‘throw the book’ at Covid-19 protesters
Former cop and lawyer says it's a matter of when, not if, someone contracts Covid-19 as a result of mass demonstrations in Sydney. He wants the public prosecutor to “throw the book” at them.
Coffs Harbour
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Cowper MP Pat Conaghan hasn’t held back after watching Saturday’s chaotic lockdown protests unfold in Sydney, calling for severe punishments for those at the demonstration.
The ‘Freedom March’ protests across the country drew widespread condemnation but the large crowds at the demonstration in Sydney, which is in the throes of a Covid-19 outbreak, were singled out as particularly irresponsible.
Protesters were calling for freedom of choice, assembly, movement and health and were largely seen as opposing lockdowns and Covid-19 vaccinations.
Mr Conaghan, a former lawyer and police officer, said he was reminded of the definition of murder, manslaughter and grievous bodily harm while watching the events.
Certain that it was a matter of when, not if, a “selfish simpleton” protester would return home and infect a another person, leaving them with “lifelong respiratory problems or worse – dead”, Mr Conaghan said he hoped the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions recommends they be charged with Criminal Negligence Manslaughter.
“Manslaughter in NSW generally attracts a sentence of between 4-6 years,” he said. “Seems fair enough for such reckless, self indulgent behaviour.”
“Thank you to all Sydneysiders and other residents in lockdown around Australia who are doing the right thing.
“To the protesters, I hope they throw the book at you.”
Brelsford Park in Coffs Harbour was also the scene of a Freedom March protest with reports suggesting more than 100 people turned out. Protesters were seen marching through Coffs Harbour CBD chanting anti-vaccination slogans.
It is the second such rally in the region after February’s ‘Millions March’ which saw a similar number turn out to protest the country’s vaccine rollout.
While there are a number of people with genuine concerns about their rights to refuse a vaccination, the message at protests and in online forums is often mixed with bizarre conspiracy theories.
The Facebook page of the Coffs Harbour Freedom and Rights Group, who led the protest, is not only filled with anti-vaccination information but also videos of Donald Trump speeches, deep state conspiracies and religious podcasts.
Information from the group being shared via email also makes mention of the “secret genocidal component in Covid-19 vaccines” which could lead to the deaths of 90 per cent of the world population in a depopulation exercise planned by “the elite”.
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