Charge against Zoe Buhler for organising lockdown protest dropped

Ballarat mum Zoe Buhler — who was arrested in her pyjamas — says she’d like to see Dan Andrews “have his day in court”.

Police have dropped a charge against a Ballarat mum accused of breaching public health orders during Victoria’s Covid lockdown.

Zoe Buhler, 30, was accused of using social media to organise a protest against state government lockdown rules between August 31 and September 2 in 2020.

Her arrest while pregnant and wearing pyjamas was captured on video.

In Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday, police withdrew a single charge of incitement to contravene public health directions.

An application for costs by Ms Buhler was to be worked out between the parties.

Outside court, Ms Buhler thanked her supporters and said she was “relieved that it’s all finished”.

“Glad that it’s all over,” she said.

“Obviously the charges have been withdrawn.

“Bit ridiculous on the police side of things that they dragged it out for so long.

“I’ll be considering my options going forward especially in regards to being handcuffed while pregnant.”

Zoe Buhler outside Ballarat Magistrates Court following her hearing on Tuesday.

Ms Buhler said her stance against the state’s lockdown had not changed since her arrest.

“I think the strong message I have is that I definitely have no regrets,” she said.

“I’m glad I stood up for people’s human rights and freedoms, and I guess the message maybe going into the future is … I hope I can be an inspiration that more of us should stand up for what is right.”

She added the following for Premier Daniel Andrews: “I hope one day you’ll have your day in court”.

And to the police: “Get the bad guys, not the innocent guys”.