Thousands of protesters chant and storm streets for ‘freedom rallies’

Thousands of ‘freedom’ protesters have hit the streets in Melbourne and Sydney, where they heard negative claims about vaccines.

Tens of thousands of protesters have chanted and marched against vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions at ‘freedom’ events across Australia.

A series of “freedom rallies” planned for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart began at midday on Saturday with massive crowds taking to the streets, before dispersing about 4pm.

Melbourne protest: The ‘freedom’ rally is on the move. The protesters are marching down Bourke Street away from state parliament. @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/bESyadPcW8

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) November 20, 2021

In Melbourne, chanting demonstrators waving Australian flags and “kill the bill” placards marched down Bourke St into the city.

Meanwhile, anti-fascist protesters converged on the Eight Hour Day Monument after demonstrators vowed to counter protest the so-called “freedom rallies”.

The massive crowd in Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

Authorities had been concerned the situation could escalate if the two protests collided but those fears did not eventuate.

However, a significant police presence was at the scene, and the riot squad was reportedly ready to be called in if required.

“Police responded to protest activity in Melbourne’s CBD... Despite significant numbers in attendance, the protest was peaceful with only one arrest made,” a Victorian police spokeswoman said.

Thousands have attended the rally in Melbourne. Picture NCA NewsWire/Paul Jeffers

Outspoken anti-vax Instagrammer Marina Zee told the Melbourne audience that Victoria’s pandemic laws were part of a co-ordinated plan to control individuals.

“It's never been about health. It’s all about control,” she shouted.

Counter protest in Melbourne as anti-pandemic bill demonstrations continue at Parliament House @SBSNewspic.twitter.com/VFwiX7sQDY

— Abby Dinham (@abbydinham) November 20, 2021

Independent Victorian MP Catherine Cumming, who is in negotiations with the state government on the pandemic legislation, also addressed the crowd.

She taunted Premier Daniel Andrews over his condemnation of protests that took place during the week at Parliament House.

“So fascists are we Daniel? Am I a Nazi, am I Daniel? Dr Cumming told the crowd.

“No matter how much misinformation and propaganda you put out there Victoria is going to win.”

She also spoke up against children receiving the Covid-19 jab, claiming the Premier was “coming after her children”.

“When you come after my children you come after every single Victorian ... We are together as a freedom family,” Dr Cumming said.

Our Freedom Families! #freedom #VoteThemOut #HandsOffOurChildren #HoldTheLine #KillTheBill

Posted by Catherine Cumming MP on Friday, November 19, 2021

In Sydney, crowds gathered with Australian flags and signs at Hyde Park.

Demonstrators could be seen chanting “freedom” before joining together to sing the national anthem.

They later repeatedly chanted “sack them all”.

One protester who spoke in front of the large crowd could be heard saying they had “taken back Sydney”.

Protesters gather in Hyde Park in Sydney. / Flavio Brancaleone

Following a rendition of Waltzing Matilda, rogue MP Craig Kelly made the claim that vaccine mandates were equivalent to living in a prison camp.

“If you live in a place where you only have your freedom given to you in exchange for some type of good behaviour, you do not live in a free society. You live in a prison camp,” he told the crowd.

Craig Kelly was welcomed by the crowd with cheers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Organisers of the Sydney rally had claimed more than 100,000 demonstrators were in attendance.

However, NSW Police later disputed that, estimating only 10,000 attendees.

NSW Police confirmed the Sydney protest remained “peaceful”.

“Overall, the protests were conducted peacefully with minimal disruption to the community, and I’m pleased to see that the vast majority of people complied with police directions,” Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said.

“I want to thank the community who did the right thing today and acknowledge the more than 600 police officers who were deployed across the Sydney CBD and inner west for their professional response during today’s activities.”

No arrests were made, nor were any infringement notices issued throughout the Sydney rally.

NSW Police thanked demonstrators for remaining peaceful. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

In Brisbane, a hefty crowd packed into the Botanic Gardens and marched through the CBD.

Organisers were forced to ask a man carrying a noose to put it back in his car, while another protester was captured yelling “hang the b**ch” after being asked what he thought about Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

These latest rallies come after Melbourne became the site of anti-government protests this week as crowds occupied the front steps of the Victorian parliament to demonstrate against the state’s proposed pandemic laws.

The bill has since been stalled in the upper house as the state government attempts to sure up support with key crossbenchers after former Labor MP Adem Somyurek vowed to vote against the legislation.

Demonstrators last weekend wheeled out makeshift gallows with nooses attached.

Melbourne has been the site for ugly protests this week over the states proposed pandemic law. Picture NCA NewsWire/Paul Jeffers

The ugly scenes prompted a fierce back and forth between the nation’s political leaders, with Mr Andrews accusing Scott Morrison of “double speak” to pander to the votes of extremists.

“We have seen extremists, rabid anti-vaxxers and others making all sorts of threats, threats against me, my wife and my kids,” Mr Andrews told Channel 9.

“I'm committed to doing what has to be done. I’m not about chasing, through doublespeak, the votes of extremists or their preferences.”

The Prime Minister on Friday condemned the protests, but also suggested he understood why the protesters were frustrated.

The scene in Melbourne on Saturday. Picture NCA NewsWire/Paul Jeffers

“I was very clear yesterday in denunciating any violence, threats or intimidation that is applied against anyone,” Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

“I don't have sympathy for violence, I don’t have sympathy for threats.

“I have sympathy for Australians who have had a gutful of governments telling them what to do over the last two years.”

He also said politicians like Mr Kelly should not be associating themselves with the rallies.

Originally published as Thousands of protesters chant and storm streets for ‘freedom rallies’