Sydney freedom protest: Video shows clashes with anti-lockdown group

From those spouting “new world order” conspiracies to families hailing from Covid hot spots, meet the people who protested for “freedom” in Sydney’s CBD. SEE THE VIDEO.

The thousands who marched on Sydney’s CBD to fight for their “freedom” came from all walks of life, dispelling beliefs that conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers are on the fringes of society.

Saturday’s bloody scenes have seen almost 100 personal infringement notices issued and 63 people charged, with the violence described by one of the state’s top cops as “disgraceful”.

Inside the crowd which made its way from Victoria Park to Wynyard and back again were family groups with children holding hands, teenagers you would normally expect at climate rallies and older people, who are at most risk of dying from coronavirus.

Several people in the procession could be seen pushing prams or carrying babies strapped to their chests, as other protesters were wearing high-vis work shirts.

Police apprehending one man after clashes outside Victoria Park.

One group, who left as crowds were being dispersed back at Victoria Park, openly claimed to be from “Covid central” Fairfield.

Barely any of the protesters wore masks or attempted to social distance.

Despite it being billed as “making a stand for freedom”, large swathes of the crowd consistently chanted the vaccines produced by Astra-Zeneca and Pfizer were “poison”.

Another man taken away near Town Hall on Saturday.

Police horses who stopped the crowd marching beyond Wynyard in the CBD were pelted with water bottles from the angry mob, which is estimated to have included 3500 people.

Crowds, walking back down George St took over Town Hall again, began climbing on top of shop frontages, brawling with police, setting off flares and spouting conspiracy theories ranging from a “new world order” to vaccines being designed to kill humans.

Many of the crowd appeared young, professionally dressed in some cases, and a far cry from the traditional “tin foil hat” image of what many consider conspiracy theorists.

As the group made its way back toward Victoria Park several protesters were goading the police before several arrests were made again at the park.

Another man who had to be bundled away from the crowd.

Several cars along George St encouraged the crowd, including a work truck with the company’s name plastered in bold letters across the side.

Police attempting to disburse the crowds after three hours of clashes produced a ring of steel around the group who, on the outskirts, came to blows with officers or made a dash for their nearby parked car.

The scenes, at times, came close to resembling a European football riot as police came under attack while trying to make arrests.