Seven arrested as Darwin anti-mandate protests turn ugly

A violent shift at an anti-mandate rally saw police pelted with rocks and seven arrested.

UPDATE:

A VIOLENT shift at an anti-mandate rally saw police pelted with rocks and seven arrested.

Police used checkpoints to keep unvaccinated protesters away from a rally in Darwin’s CBD on Saturday.

A car convoy trying to breach into the CBD was stopped at a police checkpoint outside Darwin High School with the passengers disembarking their vehicles outside the Sailing Club.

The group then chose to march through parkland towards the CBD but were halted by a strong police presence.

However, the wholly unmasked group chose to press through the police blockade with some individuals throwing punches, throwing chemicals and pelting rocks at officers.

Protest against Covid Vaccine and Mandate turns ugly. Picture: Julianne Osborne

As a result police pepper sprayed the instigators and arrested seven individuals.

Superintendent Daniel Shean, who was at the scene and was himself injured in the march, condemned the actions of those who instigated violence.

“Northern Territory police were conducting compliance points at various locations across Darwin as we are in a lockout in the area,” Mr Shean said.

“During the course of the day a group of people that are anti-vaccination, anti-mandate led a procession of vehicles and those people then formed up and decided to walk up to one of our control points.

“NT police were waiting to see why they weren’t wearing masks were following Chief Health Officer directions, however there was a small cohort that used violence against officers.

“Police officers did use force to try and bring that group under control with seven arrested with charges including aggravated assault and disobeying the CHO ‘s directives.

That main group has by and large been quite peaceful and now all of a sudden you have this group using violence. It’s disgraceful that they’ve lowered themselves to that standard.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner thanked Territory police officers who put themselves on the frontline.

“I thank the Territory’s police officers for their work in Darwin today. You did an excellent job in the face of unlawful, provocative and anti-Territorian behaviour,” Mr Gunner said.

“And thank you to the overwhelming majority of Territorians who are doing the right thing, staying safe and getting vaccinated. You are putting the Territory first.”

Earlier on Saturday, Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker urged protesters to defer their rally for a week.

“There will be roadblocks in place in the Greater Darwin area leading into the CBD doing compliance checks making sure why they’re away from home if unvaccinated,” Mr Chalker said. “If they are unvaccinated, if they’re not willing to demonstrate what the five reasons are, and they’re not going to be sound and reasonable, then they may force us into action.”

Under Darwin’s lockout, only fully vaccinated Territorians can go about their business normally while unvaccinated must stay home.

UPDATE: POLICE have used pepper spray and arrested at least one person after a contingent of protesters tried to get around checkpoints to attend an anti-mandate protest in Darwin’s CBD.

Footage shows police leading away a man, and then washing his eyes out with water.

Protesters, who had earlier been travelling by vehicle in a convoy, attempted to cut across the Botanic Gardens on foot to avoid a police checkpoint.

Hundreds of protesters marched through yelling “you work for us” on their way to their Parliament House rally point.

A man being arrested by NT Police near the Botanic Gardens.

The frontline group forced their way through a human barricade of policeman setup outside Darwin High School.

Things turned aggressive as the line was broken and pepper spray was used.

EARLIER: POLICE have begun a major operation to prevent any unvaccinated people from attending a Free in the NT protest in Darwin’s CBD on Saturday.

Checkpoints have been established at all major roads into the city centre, with officers checking the vaccination records of all motorists.

Free in the NT had indicated on its social media platforms that it was planning a drive from Casuarina to the CBD, via Nightcliff, on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier on Saturday, Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker urged protesters to defer their rally for a week.

A checkpoint along East Point Road.

Under Darwin’s lockout, only fully vaccinated Territorians can go about their business normally.

Unvaccinated and part-vaccinated individuals are required to stay home and only leave for one of the five essential reasons, such as shopping or work which cannot be performed from home.

Mr Chalker has repeatedly warned protesters that police would arrest protesters if they ignored chief health officer directions, but only as a last resort.

Originally published as Seven arrested as Darwin anti-mandate protests turn ugly