Grafton Walk for Freedom protest participants warned by police
Police say there is no room for interpretation on lockdown restrictions as they fire off a warning about a ‘Walk For Freedom’ being promoted online.
Police & Courts
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Police say they will not tolerate any protest in Grafton’s Market Square on Saturday and are warning participants they will be fined or charged.
It comes after a flyer promoting a Walk for Freedom was circulated on social media on Friday afternoon.
It is a stance replicated across the state, with the police minister on Friday saying rule breakers could face riot squads for planned city protests.
The walk, which is scheduled for Saturday, is being promoted as a peaceful protest for freedom of choice to end lockdown.
It is planned to start at Market Square before moving over both of the Grafton bridges.
The flyer encourages people to bring signs and says it will be a peaceful walk adhering to exercise and social distancing rules.
But Coffs/Clarence Police Command has issued a stern statement on its Facebook page in response, saying officers are aware of the planned unauthorised protest.
“Do NOT attend,” the statement reads.
“Public safety is our first priority and you will be fined or arrested if you turn up #StayAtHome.”
The freedom walk Facebook posts, which have been deleted from many community sites, have attracted comment from many corners of the community, with many showing disdain and reporting the post to police.
Grafton Police Station officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Jo Reid said she was heartened that so many in the community had raised their concerns over the event.
However, she warned that using an excuse for exercise for the public gathering would not be acceptable.
“It’s not up to interpretation,” she said.
“If you turn up to an unauthorised protest in Market Square, you will be fined or arrested.”
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