#ReclaimTheLine protest brings crowd to Tweed Heads, Coolangatta

Thousands of people turned up on the border to protest mandatory vaccine rules for workers in a gathering that has been slammed as selfish.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest says he is disappointed by protests at the state border on Friday.

Thousands of people gathered in Tweed Heads to voice their opposition to “no jab, no work” policies as part of #ReclaimTheLine protests organised at different places around the country.

An estimated 2000 people wore white as they gathered near the border marker on Wharf Street.

A number of protesters, including teachers and nurses, said they did not support “mandatory” vaccinations as they believed the vaccine was still in the trial stage and they did not know what was in it.

Protestors at the #ReclaimTheLine Border protest at Tweed. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Provest disputed some of the claims and said the list of ingredients in the Covid-19 vaccine were available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website and that the vaccine had not been rushed as it was developed from SARS vaccine research.

“I think these people are quite selfish,” Mr Provest said.

“I respect anyone’s right to express their views and there is an appropriate way to do that.

“This was an inappropriate way considering we’re in a pandemic.”

The crowds cheered on speakers including former firefighter Kade Pride, teacher Tashi Lhamo and ex Qantas pilot Graham Hood.

Former Qantas pilot Graham Hood speaks at the #ReclaimTheLine protest in Tweed Heads on Friday. Picture: Liana Walker

Mr Hood, a pilot of 53 years who worked as a captain for Qantas for 32 years, said he had previously planned to get the Pfizer jab however changed his mind when he felt he could not get enough information about it.

“I saw an interview with the CEO of Qantas where he said ‘anybody who refuses the to get the jab is denying a career in aviation’,” Mr Wood said.

“I was flying into a boyhood dream I had since I was five years old and now many of the people who are forced to face this mandate are in the same position.”

Protesters marched toward Point Danger on the NSW side of the border and back down the hill on the Queensland side.

Several cars honked while driving past the two hour gathering.

Ms Lhamo said a “mandated” injection wasn’t right for her.

“This is an industrial action strike right now,” she said.

Attendees were encouraged to wear white for the protest.

Organisers touted it as a “peaceful, safe and silent demonstration”.

Protestors gather at the #ReclaimTheLine Border protest as former pilot Graham Hood addresses the crowd. Picture: Glenn Hampson

One participant said on social media the event was an effort to “say no to vaccine mandates and passports”.