Anti-lockdown protesters gather at Flinders Street Station amid new restrictions

Anti-lockdown protesters vented their anger at the state government at a rally at Flinders Street Station on Friday night.

Anti-lockdown protesters march to the Australian open at Melbourne Park on Friday evening Picture: David Geraghty

Anti-lockdown protesters vented their anger at the state government at a rally at Flinders Street Station on Friday night.

The gathering was held in response to Victoria returning to stage four restrictions for the next five days.

A group of about 150 people met at the Flinders and Swanston streets intersection at 7pm.

A barricade was set up under the clocks blocking the station entrance and the protest was monitored by police and Protective Services Officers.

There was a mix of props among the crowd, including people wearing capes, playing music through portable speakers, waving flags and holding signs calling for an end to the lockdown.

One woman held a poster that read: “turn off your TV”.

Steve Booth brought a flagpole that had attached a US, UK and Australian flag.

He got on a megaphone and led the crowd in a chant of “sack Dan Andrews”, “arrest Dan Andrews” and “Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi”.

Anti-lockdown protesters march to the Australian open at Melbourne Park on Friday evening Picture: David Geraghty

Victoria Police were also at the apparent ‘freedom march’ Picture: David Geraghty

He also labelled the Premier “a filthy rat”.

The group then disrupted traffic by marching along Flinders St toward the Australian Open.

Protester Steve Booth told the Herald Sun the lockdown was “sickening”.

“Dan Andrews seems to think he can take away our freedoms and liberties and our human rights at the drop of a hat. Every time he makes a mistake we pay for it,” he said.

Some marchers came baring signs Picture: David Geraghty

The group totalled about 150. Picture: David Geraghty

“F — the government, I’m sick of this government. Every step of the way they’ve done this without consultation with the Victorian people. It’s a small, select group of powerful people making these decisions behind closed doors.”

Several protesters also voiced their opposition to the vaccine rollout, chanting “no jab no way”.

Several drivers honked their horns at the spectacle.

One passing motorist was unimpressed at the protesters, shouting at them: “We’re in lockdown for a reason you dumb c — s”.

Under the current restrictions that are set to clamp down further at 11.50pm on Wednesday night, only 100 people from any number of households are allowed to gather outdoors.