Police defend their actions at Bellingen anti-lockdown protest

Photos of protesters being tackled to the ground and arrested have led to questions about the heavy-handed approach.

Police are not backing down from their actions at several anti-lockdown protests across the Coffs Harbour region earlier this week.

Photos of protesters being tackled to the ground and arrested have been shared widely with some questioning the heavy-handed approach.

In Bellingen there were several arrests made during distressing scenes on Tuesday morning outside the Bellingen Shire Council building.

Deputy Mayor Jennie Fenton slammed the protest saying it was a “bad day for intelligence and heart”, reminding people that councils did not make Covid-related health directives.

“The only thing we have done is bust ourselves to keep our community safe and connected during something that isn’t only happening to those who live here in relative paradise but to every human being on the planet.”

Some who witnessed the arrests claim police were out of line and a petition titled ‘Immediately HALT unlawful police enforcement in Coffs Coast and Bellingen Shires’ has been created.

The change.org petition references Senior Constable Alexander Cooney’s open letter to the NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller.

The ‘Open Letter to the Commissioner: Tyranny of Government, or Best Interests of the People?’ was sent on October 26 last year saying the police force is being used as a tool to push a global and corporate agenda upon the population.

‘Many members of the force are fed up with the approach to enforce oppressive rules placed upon the population in the name of Covid-19 and the looming mandatory vaccination,’ the letter read.

But local police have warned they will continue to enforce the public health orders.

“They are in place for a reason – to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.

“Accordingly, police will continue to enforce the orders to ensure our vulnerable communities remain protected and as many people as possible are protected from serious illness or even death.”

On Saturday, NSW recorded 1533 new Covid cases, marking the highest daily total during the pandemic.

In Coffs Harbour a walk-in vaccination centre opened at former Red and White Medical Centre across the road from The Clog Barn.