Sam Newman urges protests as anti-lockdown rally causes chaos in Meadow Heights
Sam Newman has urged his followers to “take the city back”, calling for 250,000 Victorians to illegally protest the state’s lockdown restrictions. It comes as a group of masked, flare-wielding protesters ran amok and caused chaos in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
HS Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from HS Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Controversial TV personality Sam Newman has urged thousands to take to the streets to protest Victoria’s strict coronavirus restrictions.
It comes as three protesters were arrested at an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne’s north on Sunday night and several more were fined for a separate demonstration in the city’s southeastern suburbs.
On Sunday, Newman urged Victorians to “take the city/state back” and proposed that 250,000 people should gather on the CBD streets in protest over lockdown.
“Of all the protests that we have put up with, how about 1/4 million of us gather in the CBD to take the City/State back, before EVERY previous march will have been pointless. And hopefully a State day of co-ordination. Any takers. #StateofSurvival,” Newman tweeted.
Speaking to the Herald Sun Newman said that Victorians are suffering in lockdown due to “the actions of a few irresponsible people and an irresponsible government”
The broadcaster said the proposed mass rally is against the state government not moving quick enough to reopen businesses.
“I’m not doing it for me. I don’t go out a lot - I don’t go to venues or nightclubs. I do play golf when I’m allowed to but I’m just thinking about all my friends who are in business who are much younger than me and are going stir crazy,” Newman said.
“All the states in Australia are living reasonably normal lives except us here. We’re paying the penalties for the actions of a few irresponsible people and an irresponsible government.”
Newman described the state government’s lockdown as “almost criminal” and said that businesses should be allowed to reopen once they put social distancing procedures in place.
“It’s nonsensical that business, restaurants, companies and life can’t go on in a much more considered and deliberate way, bearing in mind that going about your life responsibly is all this is about,” he said.
“it’s ridiculous to put in jeopardy the wellbeing of business and people as individuals because of an ad hoc, knee-jerk reaction to something they have never been on top of and the community is paying the price of.”
Newman said he’s “not advocating for violence” with his proposed gathering as he encouraged thousands to step out in protest.
“If you overwhelm the direction by the government on mass protests and rallies with people getting fined, eventually you’ll overwhelm the people who are going to fine you with the numbers,” he said.
When asked if he will attend the ‘Freedom Day’ anti-lockdown rally set to go ahead in Melbourne on Saturday, Newman said he would consider going.
“I’ll have a look at what it is about,” he said.
“If it’s a responsible movement to show our disdain then I will be there, or there would be no point in me suggesting to do something in the first place.”
Responding to the outspoken star’s tweet, MMA fighter Vik Grujic encouraged Newman to attend Saturday’s illegal “freedom march” organised by conspiracy theorists and virus deniers.
“One already planned next Saturday the 5th of September. You should join the rally,” the sportsman said.
And while Newman’s tweet was liked by more than 1200 people, his views also sparked an angry reaction on social media.
In response to the podcaster’s proposal, one Twitter user said that Newman should be “arrested and charged”.
“Whiny attention-seeking narcissist Sam Newman is again inciting people to break the law, putting the health of others & the safety of the police at risk,” they said.
Others rallied in support of Newman’s protest.
“Never liked anything about Sam Newman until today. 100% with you on this,” another user tweeted.
A Victoria Police spokesman last week said authorities were aware of individuals who that may be planning to attend the September 5 protest.
“We are continuing to make inquiries into the organisers of this event to deter any breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directives,” the spokesman said.
“This would be a completely blatant breach of the Chief Health Officer’s directions, putting Victorian lives at risk … We will have no hesitation in issuing $1,652 fines or making arrests on the day, if necessary.
“In addition to this, those who are found to be in breach of a self-isolation order can be subject to a fine of $4957.”
ARRESTS AS SUBURBAN PROTESTERS RUN RIOT
A man and two teenagers were arrested after a gang of masked protesters swarmed across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, in breach of coronavirus restrictions.
Images appearing to show dozens of men, some wearing Guy Fawkes masks, gathering on suburban streets in Meadow Heights have surfaced on social media on Sunday afternoon.
Video of the group stopping traffic and overrunning streets show police watching on from the side of the road.
In some of the images the protesters appear to be brandishing flares.
Videos also show the protesters standing off with police in suburban streets and refusing orders to disperse, has surfaced online.
“We are being peaceful, we are peaceful protesters walking,” one protester said to the officers.
“Who is the real criminal! You motherf---ers disperse.”
Another video shows protesters chanting in unison, before they’re broken up as police tackle one man to the ground.
Victoria Police confirmed a Broadmeadows man, 22, a teenager also from Broadmeadows, 18, and a 17-year-old had been arrested for breaching the Chief Health Officers directions and traffic related offences and will front court at a later date.
Officers also handed out five fines during a rally near the George Andrews Reserve in Dandenong on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said investigations into the protests are continuing.
“Police are continuing to investigate Sunday evening’s protest activity and will consider issuing penalty notices for anyone else found to be in breach of the directions issued by the Chief Health Officer,” she said.
MORE NEWS
WORST LOCKDOWN RULE-BREAKERS REVEALED