Protesters march in Melbourne against pandemic laws and jab mandate

A civil rights expert has voiced serious concerns after placards of Daniel Andrews dressed as Adolf Hitler were paraded at a protest.

The chair of Australia’s leading civil rights organisation has sounded the alarm over fears of a growing “demonisation of political figures” in Victoria.

It comes as placards of Daniel Andrews dressed as Adolf Hitler were paraded around during Saturday’s protests against the state government’s proposed pandemic legislation.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, who is the chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said he was alarmed about the “coarsening of the debate and its hijacking by extremist forces”.

“There is no place in the debate about the new pandemic laws for cheap Holocaust analogies, and equating Premier Daniel Andrews to the bestial Hitler responsible for the gas chambers and the murder of six million Jews and millions of others is beyond offensive,” he said.

“History has taught us that such hateful discourse can and does create a climate that can lead to actual violence.”

It comes after key crossbench MP Andy Meddick, who is this week expected to vote in support of the government’s new Bill, revealed protestors had turned up to his private home to protest against the proposed law.

Placards of Daniel Andrews dressed as Adolf Hitler were paraded around during Saturday’s protests.

Mr Meddick also raised concerns that Victoria was on the verge of experiencing events akin to those seen recently in the UK, where British MP Sir David Amess was assassinated.

Dr Abramovich said it was important to have a “full-throated discussion” in the public square about government policies.

“But to draw any comparisons between these laws and those passed by the Third Reich that resulted in the Final Solution and death camps like Auschwitz is beyond the pale,” he added.

“As I have said before, such posters throw dirt on the proud legacy of the valiant diggers who died to defeat Hitler and trample on the feelings of Holocaust survivors living here.”

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has slammed the placards as “offensive and wrong”.

“I don’t agree with Daniel Andrews Pandemic Bill. It’s overreach and has rightly been condemned,” he said on Sunday night.

“But placards depicting the Premier in Nazi uniform is offensive and wrong. It shows a lack of understanding of history. It fuels hatred. It’s dangerous and has no place in public debate.”

PROTESTERS RALLY IN MELBOURNE

The wet weather didn’t deter protesters on Saturday, with thousands of people marching in Melbourne’s CBD.

The group chanted “kill the bill” in protest of the state government’s proposed pandemic law.

Under the new legislation, the premier would be given the power to make a pandemic declaration following consultation with the chief health officer, and extend it in three-month blocks for as long as he considered it necessary.

Protesters rallying through the streets. Picture: Daniel Pockett

There was a large crowd, despite the rainy conditions. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Thousands of people attended the event. Picture: Daniel Pockett

There were calls for MPs to not pass the controversial pandemic laws. Picture: Daniel Pockett

One protester Mark, who did not want to give his last name, said he was fighting for “pro choice”.

“I’m fully vaccinated – that’s not the issue,” he said.

“I just want there to be options and for nothing to be forced on us.”

The group then marched towards parliament as they shouted “sack Dan Andrews”.

The protest brought traffic to a standstill on Swanston St.

People of all ages – including babies – were among the crowd.

They held signs that read “coercion is not consent” and “Dan is the virus”.

The group converged on the steps of parliament where they were met with a barricade of police on horseback.

Thousands of protesters met outside parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

One of the signs at the protest. Picture: Daniel Pockett

A huge crowd gathered for the protest. Picture: Alex Coppel

Police formed a line at the parliament steps. Picture: Alex Coppel

Protesters gathered in large numbers in the city. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Some of the protesters out the front of parliament. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Melbourne protesters met up in the CBD. Picture: Sarah Perillo

The protest swelled in size on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Sarah Perillo

The crowd carried signs and banners. Picture: Sarah Perillo

Protesters were chanting “kill the bill”. Picture: Sarah Perillo

Protesters met at the State Library. Picture: Daniel Pockett

They then marched to parliament. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Officers were on the outskirts of the large group as organisers kicked off the event with an acoustic musical performance.

Protesters also sang their own version of the Pink Floyd song We Don’t Need No Education, chanting “we don’t need no vaccination”.

Craig Kelly speaks during a rally on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Pockett

CRAIG KELLY GIVES SPEECH

Controversial MP Craig Kelly addressed the group, saying: “We are in the face of tyranny and corruption”.

“I have decided to take a stand like many of you have here today – I hear you,” he said.

“We are no longer governed for the people or by the people.

“I stand with all those who stand for freedom.”

“In Australia you can inject a 12-year-old child with Moderna vaccine.

“In so many other countries – Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Finland – you can’t.

“We’re being governed by insane medical bureaucrats.”

A large group of protesters held signs and waved flags. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Protesters are opposed to the state government's proposed pandemic laws. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Mr Kelly encouraged protesters to vote for the United Australia Party at the next federal election.

“It’s for your young kids we want to govern this country with greater freedoms and prosperity,” he said.

Ex Victoria Police senior constable Craig Backman gave a speech and slammed Premier Daniel Andrews as “the clown that runs this state”.

“These politicians in charge – they’re all very ordinary and bad people,” he said.

“He’d be the worst person to get on the beers with.

“His agenda is to control you and everything that you do.”

Nurses Pauline Swinkley and Melissa Webster delivered a speech to the crowd calling for lockdowns and vaccination not to be compulsory.

“We have also seen so many people in hospital, not from Covid but for physical or mental health reasons,” they said.

Busloads of police arrived at Spring St to counter the growing protest.

Officers were patrolling the outskirts of the crowd as highway patrol blocks off neighbouring streets.

Liberal MP Bernie Finn told protesters: “I’m so thrilled and so proud to be with you all today”.

“He (Daniel Andrews) has made Melbourne the most locked down city on the face of the earth,” he said.

“Dan wants to become an emperor.

“If this bill is passed, Victoria and Victorians will be never be the same again.

“It’s our job to stand up for our human right.”

Among the crowd were various flags, including those representing Australia, Greece, Poland and the UK.

Others waved Eureka and Trump flags.

Organisers of the protest, titled ‘Rise Up Melbourne’, had been promoting the event on an encrypted Telegram group that boasts close to 15,000 members.

Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick, who has been extremely vocal in his stance against vaccine mandates, attended the event.

An ambulance arrived on Spring St just after 1.30pm to treat one woman who appeared unwell.

Police officers were helping others by giving them bottles of water.