Anti-lockdown protesters move from the city, to Elsternwick, to Elwood Beach
Anti-lockdown protesters planning to rally again on Sunday have been warned police will take swift action to shut them down. It comes as 16 protesters were arrested on Saturday and 21 fines issued.
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Police arrested 16 protestors and issued 21 fines at Saturday’s anti-lockdown rally which moved from Elsternwick to Elwood Beach.
The majority of arrests were for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions and refusing to provide name and address.
A police spokeswoman issued a stern warning to protestors and said they will “take the same swift and firm action against those who choose to blatantly ignore the directions”.
“While we know the majority of the community are doing the right thing, the behavior of these selfish few who choose to blatantly ignore the directions will not be tolerated,” she said.
“We are frustrated that these people continue to put the lives of Victorians at risk.”
Investigations are continuing
Just a few protesters arrived at the State Library for the initial rally but were met by a strong police presence, and were instructed by organisers to gather at Elsternwick Park.
Police - including officers from Public Order Response, the Mounted Unit and Highway Patrol - are circling around Elsternwick Park while the police helicopter flies overhead.
Up to 100 protesters have gathered at the suburban park for the rally.
The group stormed Elwood Beach about 12.30pm, with police and the mounted branch closely following them.
Hundreds of protesters ran along the beach’s boardwalk.
Police arrested a man on Elwood Beach.
The man screamed at police, pleading his innocence as a crowd formed around him.
The man said he was within five kilometres of his house and he had “done nothing wrong”.
He screamed “disgrace” and that the police have to “answer to the lord Jesus Christ”.
Several other protesters were arrested on Ormond Esplanade after the group dispersed throughout the Elwood Beach area.
Organisers described the short-lived protest as a “massive win” - despite crowds fleeing soon after police arrived at the scene.
“Massive win for the protesters today. Few arrests, massive cost, demoralising for the police and most importantly, more fascist police optics,” one organiser wrote in a secret group chat.
Another rally is planned for Sunday, with details expected to be announced at 6.30am.
There was a heavy police presence in the CBD on Saturday morning ahead of another day of anti-lockdown protests.
Back-to-back protests were planned - one kicking off at 11am and a second at 12pm.
Organisers of the rallies announced at 10.30am that the first protest will take place at the State Library, while the second location is yet to be revealed.
In a secret encrypted group chat, an organiser encouraged protesters to “be like water” and “disperse like mist”.
It comes as a protester at a rally two weeks ago was tracked down and charged after throwing a water bottle at police.
Warm weather Saturday is expected to draw out a large number of anti-lockdown demonstrators who have become highly networked through encrypted mobile apps.
Almost 700 people have signed up to one encrypted group where a protest organiser promised Sunday’s rally would be “like nothing you’ve ever seen before”.
“You won’t want to miss it,” the organiser wrote.
“Be ready to move in fast.”
Last weekend 70 people were arrested and 170 were fined as riot police took on protesters at the Queen Victoria Market.
Police have promised to take the same action against anyone who attends this weekend’s protests.
Officers doorknocked homes on Friday to try dissuade people from attending.
“Victoria Police maintains a strong capacity to respond to potential public protests at any point in time,” a police spokeswoman said.
“Over the weekend, we will have resources committed to ensuring that people who deliberately breach the directions, in both regional and metropolitan areas, receive fines or are arrested, if necessary.
“We will have no hesitation in taking the same action again for those who blatantly breach the restrictions.”
A 25-year-old protester accused of assaulting police at the Albert Park anti-lockdown rally was captured by the Herald Sun clashing with police during the September 5 protest.
One image showed a tactical officer recoiling after being hit in the head with a water bottle.
The Narre Warren man was charged by police on Thursday with seven offences including assault police, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, assault with an instrument, affray, unlawful assembly and behave in a riotous manner in public.
He was bailed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 23.
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