Anti-lockdown protests in Sydney and Melbourne make global headlines

The world’s media has reacted to the violent scenes in Sydney and Melbourne as protesters clashed with police over Covid-19 lockdowns.

The world’s media has reacted to the chaotic scenes in Sydney and Melbourne after protesters clashed with police in violent anti-lockdown demonstrations.

The BBC covered Saturday’s protests, which saw thousands marching through the CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne.

“Demonstrations have taken place in Australian cities against tight restrictions imposed to tackle a rise in Covid cases,” the BBC reported.

“Thousands gathered in Sydney, with smaller protests held in Melbourne and Brisbane.

“People chanted ‘freedom’ as they marched through the centre of Sydney. Officers said they had made 57 arrests.”

A protester is arrested by the police during a rally for freedom of speech, movement, choice, assembly, and Health in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

In Victoria Park there were numerous arrests as a massive police presence to manage the crowds. Picture: Matrix

The BBC said Australia’s vaccination rates “remained the lowest among developed nations, with fewer than 14 per cent of people jabbed”.

“Australian governments have reimposed lockdowns across the country amid a surge in new infections.

“The arrival of the highly contagious Delta variant has challenged the country’s previous strategy of border closures, quarantine programs and snap lockdowns which helped keep cases low.”

A massive police presence was located to manage the crowds. Picture: Matrix

Media outlet Al-Jazeera reported on the “heavy police presence in Sydney” as protesters descended on the CBD.

“After escaping much of the early pandemic unscathed, about half of Australia’s 25 million people are now in lockdown across several cities,” Al-Jazeera reported.

“There is growing anger at the restrictions – which are often only partially observed – and the conservative government’s failure to provide adequate vaccine supplies.”

A protester is restrained and arrested by police during the World Wide Rally For Freedom. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

The protest was part of an anti-lockdown rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

France 24 described Sydney as “a “city of five million people that is struggling to contain an outbreak of the Delta variant.”

“A group charged mounted officers while throwing pot plants and bottles, as opponents of Sydney’s month-long stay-at-home orders took to the streets,” France 24 reported.

“In Melbourne, local media said thousands of protesters had thronged the streets after gathering outside the state parliament in the early afternoon.

“Maskless demonstrators flouted rules on non-essential travel and public gatherings a day after authorities suggested restrictions could remain in place until October.”

US media outlet NPR reported: “The unmasked participants marched from Sydney’s Victoria Park to Town Hall in the central business district, carrying signs calling for ‘freedom’ and ‘the truth’.”

“Thousands also crowded several streets in Melbourne after gathering outside the state parliament in the early afternoon.

“The largely maskless protesters were flouting rules on non-essential travel and public gatherings, a day after authorities suggested the restrictions could remain in place until October.”

Protesters are arrested by the police during the World Wide Rally For Freedom anti-lockdown rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

As the Greater Sydney area endures week four of a harsh lockdown, a large group gathered in Victoria Park near Broadway adjacent the CBD to protest against the restrictions. Picture: Matrix

Hundreds of police responded to the Sydney protest, with several demonstrators pulled from the crowd in handcuffs by officers. Police said they issued nearly 100 fines and arrested 57 people.

Police in Melbourne said six people were arrested.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott said a team of detectives would be scouring footage to identify and charge as many people as possible in the coming days.

“What we saw today in Sydney is unfortunately something that we’ve seen in cities that we all shake our head at,” Elliott told media after the protest.

“It’s quite clear that you know, Sydney isn’t immune from morons as well.” He also said he expected the gathering to drive a spike in Covid-19 cases and urged all those who attended to get tested and isolate.

The protest moved onto Sydney’s Town Hall where a massive police presence was located to manage the crowds. Picture: Matrix

Saturday saw NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirm a total of 163 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections in NSW with 45 of those in the community while infected. Picture: Matrix

A man performs in front of a crowd during a protest to rally for freedom of speech, movement, choice, assembly, and Health in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

Organisers had dubbed the protest a “freedom” rally and publicised it on social media pages frequently used to spread vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories.

NSW reported 163 new infections on Saturday to bring its total in the current outbreak to nearly 2,000.