Police make multiple arrests at Melbourne’s Freedom Day protests
Police are set to comb through hours of protest footage in a bid to arrest more anti-lockdown “Freedom Day” offenders, after ugly scenes unfolded at Albert Park Lake and the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday.
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Police will on Sunday sift through hours of footage of protest chaos to nab more offenders, following a day of violent clashes and ugly arrests.
Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters ran riot across Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday, resulting in 17 arrests and a vicious assault on a police officer.
Police have vowed to actively pursue offenders who were not apprehended at the scene.
An anti-masker was captured by the Sunday Herald Sun punching an officer in the face before being taken to the ground.
Another attempted to punch an officer, then ducked and dodged his way out of an arrest.
Troops on horseback were baited by protesters at Albert Park and, at one stage, charged at a large group, sending them scrambling.
Amid the wild scenes, police took down several more agitators, before dispersing crowds in different directions.
Victoria Police slammed protesters for their “disappointing” display of defiance amid the health crisis.
More than 160 people were slapped with fines for breaching lockdown restrictions and more are expected.
“Despite all the warnings, it was disappointing to see individuals turn out to protest in the city, putting the lives of Victorians at risk,” a police spokeswoman said.
“Our investigations into this protest will continue.”
The prohibited “Freedom March” gained momentum from 11am after police were unable to stop the angry masses from swarming the sacred Shrine of Remembrance.
Tactical police from the Public Order Response Unit charged at crowds, taking down hardcore protesters as others stood around screaming at police, calling them “dogs” and demanding the state government end restrictions and remove Premier Daniel Andrews.
An older woman holding a “No Epidemic, Just Gov Tyranny” sign told media she would “love a night in jail” before being arrested after repeated police warnings to leave.
Others claimed police brutality amid a series of intense arrests from among the crowd of conspiracy theorists and COVID-19 deniers.
As she was being restrained by police in riot gear, a woman with a bloodshot eye said her son was inside.
“They’ve got the boys, he’s in there,” she said. “He’s only 17 years old.”
An 82-year-old protester in Albert Park said COVID-19 was a scam he felt no risk for his life with regard to his age.
“All we’re doing is expressing an opinion I thought was what we were supposed to do we’re not causing any risk to public health,” he said.
“I’m just going for a walk and using my rights to have an opinion.”
“This virus isn’t even f---ing deadly mate. F---ing Nazis,” one man yelled at police.
Married At First Sight contestant Hayley Vernon was among the protesters and told the Sunday Herald Sun Victorians should not be made to suffer any more.
A man told police he was a “subject of the Queen” after they tackled him to the ground, and another told officers he was on route to the dentist despite numerous warnings he was breaking the law.
By midday a huge number of police, including the mounted branch, swarmed the war memorial and pushed protesters away from the site.
The crowd moved down St Kilda Road, stopping traffic, before taking over Albert Park as police worked to box them in.
Protesters were slammed as “idiots” and “w--kers” by passers by and motorists unable to drive on.
PROTESTERS BLASTED AFTER DAY OF DISGRACE
So-called “Freedom Day” protesters have been blasted as selfish and disrespectful after they marched on The Shrine of Remembrance and clashed with police across the city.
Victoria Police on Saturday night said it was “disappointing” people ignored warnings and attended the demonstration.
It was an expensive day out for 160 protesters who each received fines of $1652.
Seventeen people were arrested, including one person who allegedly assaulted a police officer.
Premier Daniel Andrews described the protest as “dangerous and unlawful”.
“It is not safe, it is not smart, it is not lawful. In fact it is absolutely selfish for people to be out there protesting,” he said.
“It’s disappointing to see a small group of people acting so selfishly and dangerously when Victorians are sacrificing so much to get through this pandemic.
“No cause legitimises this behaviour — it puts police at risk, it puts lives at risk and it puts at risk everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
Opposition police and community safety spokesman David Southwick said: “No matter how frustrated people are with Daniel Andrews’ failures, no one should be publicly protesting and jeopardising the health and safety of others.”
He said Victoria Police rightfully took strong action against protesters on Saturday.
But he said people would be wondering why there wasn’t the same level of enforcement during the Black Lives Matter or CFMMEU protests.
RSL Victoria was highly critical that protesters chose to meet at The Shrine of Remembrance.
It said they were “completely disrespecting the sanctity of this time-honoured space, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who have lost their lives and all Victorian veterans”.
State Labor MP John Eren expressed his fury at protesters, saying while they claimed to honour and respect veterans, “you are in fact risking the spread of this virus which has proven to be fatal for people in their later years”.
“I find it absolutely abhorrent these imbeciles think they’re doing any service to our veterans to be protesting at our sacred shrine for their own political purposes.
“You were asked by the RSL not to. You idiots have no respect for anyone — don’t pretend you do.”
Fellow Labor MP Paul Edbrooke wrote on Twitter: “Protesting at The Shrine. The place built upon commemorating the service and memories of our relatives who died in war. Are you for real??”
Victoria Police estimated about 200 people attended the Shrine of Remembrance and then marched to Albert Park Lake. It said it was continuing to investigate the protest and more fines could be issued.
MEDIA IN POLICE FIRING LINE
There were shocking scenes at Saturday’s “Freedom Day” march as clashes between police and anti-lockdown protesters became physical.
But it wasn’t just rebelling conspiracy theorists, coronavirus deniers and restriction rule breakers who were met with force from Victoria Police at Albert Park.
Herald Sun video editor Craig Hughes was capturing the march on camera, when police closed in and he, along with other members of the media, were grabbed and pushed by police.
Mr Hughes recalled the terrifying moment he was pulled from the crowd and detained by Public Order Response officers, who took his phone and asked him why he was at the protest.
“The horses were behind me and five guys came at me — three grabbed me and another put his hand on my chest and pushed me backwards,” he said.
“He has his other hand clenched, he was probably only six feet two but he looked about eight feet tall with all his riot gear on.
“I was absolutely shaken. Even talking about it, I’m still shaking.”
After presenting police with his credentials and essential worker permit, Mr Hughes was allowed to walk free as others were apprehended around him.
The experienced journalist revealed fearful protesters broke down in tears as police swarmed Albert Park.
“I understand that police have a job to do and people have to stay home except for the four reasons but being a part of that was terrifying — the fear went up to 11.”
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