Organic Store Bowral owner Victoria Kleeberg arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Moss Vale

The owner of a regional produce shop has been arrested again for allegedly participating in an anti-lockdown protest.

The owner of the Organic Store in Bowral was one of the two people arrested for allegedly participating in an anti-lockdown protest outside Wingecarribee Shire Council chambers yesterday.

Victoria Kleeberg, 62, was arrested by police yesterday afternoon after allegedly participating in an unauthorised protest in Moss Vale.

A crowd of people gathered outside the council building, directly opposite the Southern Highlands police station, on August 31 to protest against the imposition of public health orders.

Footage captured by a passer-by shows a crowd of at least 20 people milling around on the footpath outside the council building, just opposite the police station.

Victoria Kleeberg was arrested on July 1 for not complying with public health orders. Picture: Instagram

In the footage, a protester is seen walking with police towards the station with their arms behind their back, followed by more officers.

Later in the video, three police officers march a struggling person across the road with his hands behind his back while he tries to throw them off. At one point, the handcuffed person stumbles to the ground and is helped to his feet by an officer.

Other protesters can be seen following the group as they cross the street, some videoing the incident and others appearing to object to the arrest.

Southern Highlands police confirmed four people were arrested during the protests yesterday, but only two were charged.

A 59-year-old man was charged with resisting an officer and will appear in Moss Vale Court on October 5.

The other person charged was Ms Kleeberg, the owner of the Organic Store in Bowral which made headlines for its controversial stance on masks.

An anti-lockdown protest outside Wingecarribee Shire Council chambers, where Organic Store owner Victoria Kleeberg was arrested.

Ms Kleeberg was charged with participating in an unlawful gathering and resisting an officer in the execution of their duty.

She will appear in Moss Vale court on September 22 for the two charges, as well as five charges laid against her in July.

The former nurse and midwife was charged with two counts of not wearing a fitted face covering on retail premises, two counts of resisting police in the execution of their duty and a charge of failing to provide a name and address to police.

Her arrest on July 1 was captured on camera by a customer of the store and widely shared on social media. The video shows Ms Kleeberg and her husband being arrested, and escorted to the police wagon. Mr Kleeberg can be seen struggling with police and shouting before being brought to the ground by three officers.

The couple are the owners of The Organic Store in Bowral, which has since become a rallying point for those who believe the public health orders aren’t in the best interest of the community.

Mr and Ms Kleeberg have been vocal in their opposition to mask enforcement and stated the arrests were “without due cause”. Signs outside The Organic Store ask customers not to enter if they have been vaccinated and forbids wearing masks inside for “hygienic reasons”.

Mr Kleeberg will also appear at Moss Vale Court on September 22 after being charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting a police officer, not wearing a fitted face mask, and not complying with a noticed direction regarding spitting. He has not entered pleas.