Anti-vax protesters gather for another day of demonstrations

Police have swooped on anti-vax protesters in Melbourne, arresting more than 100 people. Many protesters were maskless and chanting “f**k the jab”.

A total of 109 people were arrested for various offences at Saturday’s anti-vax protest, with 108 penalty notices also issued for breaching the chief health officer’s Covid directions.

Anti-vax protesters – many maskless and chanting “f--k the jab” and “my body, my choice” – clashed with police in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday afternoon.

The group of about 200 protesters are also chanting “we will never be defeated”.

Several onlookers yelled “vaccines save lives” at the group, causing one protester to respond: “The only vaccine that goes into my body is mushrooms”.

The swelling group stopped traffic as it spilt onto Alexandra Ave.

Protesters began scaling the fences surrounding the Botanic Gardens as a wall of officers ran at the group.

Mounted police galloped their horses towards the protesters, as officers began tackling people to the ground.

Police officers charge towards anti-vax protesters. Picture: David Crosling

Police swooped quickly on the protesters. Picture: David Crosling

Police tackle a protester to the ground. Picture: David Crosling

Riot squad officers and mounted police could be seen patrolling the outskirts of the Royal Botanic Gardens, as the group looked to be walking towards the Yarra River.

Earlier the group congregated at the Shrine of Remembrance.

It was the second time the demonstrators clashed with police at the war memorial.

Marchers descended on the Shrine on September 22 following an hours-long game of cat and mouse with police, as protesters snaked throughout the city.

The lawns surrounding the memorial were left littered with rubbish amid reports some protesters urinated on the site.

Marchers occupied the steps of the Shrine, chanting anti-vaccine slogans and singing the national anthem.

Protesters on the steps of the Shrine of Remembrance on September 22. Picture: AFP

Hundreds of users in encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram remained active in private group chats in anticipation of a protest location being revealed on Saturday.

The protest drew demonstrators from Melbourne’s inner suburbs, with organisers encouraging marchers to avoid using public transport by ride-sharing.

Saturday’s protest activity has centred around the state government’s announcement on Friday of new jab mandates requiring all authorised workers to have had at least one Covid vaccine by October 15 if they want to attend their workplace.

Protests have taken place across the city for the past two weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Authorised workers must be fully vaccinated by November 26.

Protest organisers are calling for an end to “coerced vaccinations, border restrictions and police brutality”.

However, the federal government has already announced its decision to scrap the contentious 18-month international border ban once 80 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.