Maskless protesters flock to Melbourne CBD for anti-lockdown rally as 15 arrested
Police are seeking a woman wearing a Trump-style “Make Victoria Great Again” cap over the chaotic anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s CBD.
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A woman is being sought in relation to an alleged assault on police at Melbourne’s anti-lockdown rally.
Police would like to speak to a woman who was wearing a Trump-style hat reading “Make Victoria Great Again”after a bottle was thrown at officers during the volatile protest.
The bottle struck one officer, who sustained minor injuries.
The woman is Caucasian, aged in her 20s and was wearing a black jacket, pink top and light-coloured pants.
She was wearing a red cap and carrying a large black speaker.
Police are also hoping to speak to man in relation to the release of flares at the protest.
They have released an image of a Caucasian man aged in his 30s who they wish to speak to. He was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, black hooded jumper, dark-coloured pants and white sneakers
The force has also vowed to crack down on serial protesters by pursuing tougher criminal action against them.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said it was clear “hardcore protesters” are not deterred by fines and that it was time they were put before the courts for more serious punishment, including jail time.
“It’s clear to us that there are a number of people for whom being fined makes no difference and that they don’t believe their fines are ever going to be paid,” Mr Cornelius said.
“They don’t believe that the laws of our land apply to them. And so, in our view, the best way to hold them to account is to put them in front of a court and allow the court to bring home that accountability.
“The only thing that will stop them is to have them in custody.”
Hundreds of anti-lockdown agitators stormed Melbourne’s CBD on Thursday night in a last-minute revolt against Victoria’s sixth lockdown.
Mr Cornelius said a police officer was pushed to the ground and kicked by protesters.
“I have to say kicking a police officer while he is down is a dog act,” he said.
The officer suffered minor cuts and abrasions and did not require medical treatment.
Police are hunting those responsible for the assault, along with protesters who set off flares and smashed the wing mirrors off a police vehicle.
Mr Cornelius said photographs of people wanted in connection to the incidents would be made public on Thursday.
“I ask if anyone recognises those individuals when those images are posted, could you please call Crime Stoppers and let us know who these people are,” he said.
Mr Cornelius said hardcore protesters used anti-lockdown demonstrations to attack police, with some masquerading as advocates for “mum and dad business owners” who are greatly impacted by the shut-downs.
“There are wolves in sheep’s clothing here. There are people who are dressing themselves up as advocates for mum-and-dad business owners who are really doing it hard,” he said.
“There are absolutely individuals out there who are looking to leverage this situation to pursue their own particular strange notions.
“I urge everyone to see these behaviours for what they are.”
15 ARRESTED AT WILD ANTI-LOCKDOWN RALLY
Police arrested 15 people after an “unlawful” anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s CBD on Thursday night.
A police spokesperson told the Herald Sun two people were arrested for breaching bail and giving false names; nine people were arrested before their identity could be confirmed to issue fines; and four people are expected to be charged on summons for breaching their bail, activating a flare and hindering police.
The spokesperson said a further 16 people would be issued fines for breaching chief health officer directions, including: exceed public gathering limit, fail to wear mask, outside 5 km from home and being away from home other than for a permitted reason.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said: “Four of the offenders who were arrested or fined are known to police as protest organisers. They have been dealt with previously and it is expected (they) will be presented to court on appropriate charges, such as incitement.
“Any offenders who are established to be repeat offenders will also face appropriate charges and be placed before the court to prevent their repeat offending.”
Cornelius said “police will continue to review video footage to identify as many protesters as we can, in order to hold offenders to account, as has been the case for previous protests”.
“Police are, together with the vast majority of Victorians who are doing the right thing, outraged that a small minority of people continue to engage in deliberate breaches of the CHO Directions, putting the lives and jobs of their fellow Victorians, as well as their police at risk.”
The arrests comes after hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters descended on Melbourne’s CBD hours after Victoria’s sixth was declared.
The large group met at Flinders St at 7pm on Thursday and marched into Swanston St shortly after and circled the CBD.
At least two flares were lit, with the crowd chanting “no more lockdowns”.
The Herald Sun witnessed an altercation between a man and a female anti-lockdown protester.
The man, 60, shouted to the protesters: “I had Covid last year. I was really sick.”
The woman shouted back: “Covid is fake”.
Residents in apartments above Lonsdale street were heard yelling at protesters,
“go home idiots”.
Protesters responded by screaming back and throwing flares in the direction of the building.
Police made a dramatic arrest, with the man shouting: “Leave me alone – I’m a disabled guy.”
One protester told the Herald Sun they were angered by Victoria’s sixth lockdown.
“We can’t keep going through this, we are losing our livelihoods,” the man from Melbourne’s southeast said.
Business owner James from Melbourne’s north said he had lost his livelihood.
“How can any business survive through this, I’ve lost everything.”
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