Victoria Police prevent protesters plans for ‘biggest’ rally; 57 arrested

Police arrested 57 people as officers clamped down on anti-vax protests across Melbourne.

Anti-vax and anti-lockdown demonstrations turned into a game of cat and mouse in Melbourne on Saturday as protesters repeatedly changed their locations to try and avoid police.

There were 57 people arrested for various offences and 42 people were fined for breaching chief health officer directions.

Attendees originally gathered at Princes Park in Carlton North where they were met by a major police presence, including officers on horseback patrolling the park.

Trying to beat officers to their location, protesters used encrypted chats to change their plans and locations several times.

But by Saturday afternoon they had failed in their efforts, cancelling every location – sometimes within 15 minutes of the announcement – due to police.

The result was that a convoy of police vehicles and buses were constantly moving around the city as new protest locations dropped, with frustrated anti-vaxxers failing to beat them to it.

It came as Victoria Police vowed to have a “highly visible police presence” across the city.

Several people were arrested at Princes Park, Carlton North.

Police swooped on the protests on Saturday. Picture: Alex Coppel.

This woman was detained by police. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Police led the woman away. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

This man was arrested on Saturday. Photo: Suzan Delibasic

There was a large police presence at the park. Photo: Suzan Delibasic

Scenes from the protest on Saturday. Photo: Suzan Delibasic

Police were stopping to talk to small groups of people at the park, asking them if they were local.

The Herald Sun observed people protest their innocence to police only to later greet other maskless individuals, where they were heard discussing the protest.

Police were seen talking to a woman lugging around a giant speaker before letting her walk away.

A maskless man who was arrested told officers to send him a “f**king shitty fine” as they handcuffed him and took his dog.

There was a large police presence in Carlton North. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Police on the walkway at the park. Picture: Alex Coppel.

One man, posing as a member of the press, told the man he did a great job as he filmed his arrest.

A police spokeswoman said authorities would be out in force in a bid to quash any potential chaos.

“There will be a highly visible police presence in the Melbourne CBD, on the roads and across the public transport network on Saturday,” she said.

#MelbourneProtests A woman has been arrested at Princes Park. She yelled “Avi, help me,” as she was held down by cops and told reporters she was arrested for not giving her name. @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/ENYJBaeZTa

— Sarah Booth (@sarahbooth_14) October 16, 2021

This man was arrested in the park. Photo: Suzan Delibasic

Police were checking cars on Victoria Parade on Saturday. Picture: Tony Gough

A man watching the mounted police approach. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“However, those who choose to blatantly disregard the CHOs directions and put the health and safety of all Victorians in jeopardy can expect to be held accountable.”

Members in encrypted group chats were told to wait and be on “stand by” in inner city suburbs to protest at midday.

The alert issued to thousands of members in one group called members to stand in solidarity for “no vaccine mandates” and to end the lockdown.

Protest organisers labelled the protest as the “biggest” nationwide rally to date.

It comes after 109 people were arrested earlier this month at another CBD protest, which quickly turned violent when demonstrators clashed with police.

Last month, hundreds of people were also arrested during a wave of violent protests between September 18 and 24, which included demonstrations at the CFMEU headquarters, Shrine of Remembrance and the West Gate Freeway.

Originally published as Victoria Police prevent protesters plans for ‘biggest’ rally; 57 arrested