Convoy to Canberra protests: three arrests made for refusing to leave EPIC
A top Canberra cop has described an ACT Police operation to move on Convoy to Canberra protesters from Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) as a success.
Canberra Star
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A top Canberra cop has described an ACT Police operation to move on Convoy to Canberra protesters from Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) as a success.
Thousands of people had journeyed to the country’s capital city across the weekend to protest against vaccine mandates and the government response to Covid.
Detective Acting Superintendent Rod Anderson, speaking to media on Monday, said the operation to move on protesters “went to plan”.
“The operation was successful and those people who were illegally camping here at EPIC has been moved on,” he said.
“It means that EPIC can get on with the business of providing events to the Canberra and surrounding community, (including) the Canberra Show which we’ve been without for the last two years.”
Acting Supt Anderson said some protesters were arrested for trespassing on Monday morning with one person additionally charged with resisting arrest.
When asked for the ages and locations of those individuals he did not provide any information, but said they’d likely front court over the following days.
Acting Supt Anderson said police officers didn’t resort to the use of pepper spray during the operation to move on protesters on Sunday and Monday morning.
“Although we did use a large amount of police resources none of our members were injured, no members of the public were injured,
He said police were aware some protesters had moved on to other campsites across the city, such as The Cotter campsite in Coree.
“Some (protesters) are doing that lawfully and we welcome and provide the opportunity for people to protest peacefully in the ACT,” he said.
“Those people camping illegally will be dealt with us and the (Parks ACT) Rangers.”
He said ACT policing would be monitoring the situation and encouraged Canberrans who see illegal campers to contact Crimestoppers.
Acting Supt Anderson said three people had been arrested in relation to protest activity from Saturday and told media he wasn’t aware of plans for another protest this coming Saturday.
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