Police boss warns Melbourne protesters could face fines
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius has warned Extinction Rebellion protesters and organisers gathered in Melbourne today will be fined, if not arrested, if found to be in breach of the law.
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Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius says both the organisers and protesters involved in today’s Extinction Rebellion protests in Melbourne will be fined, if not arrested, if in breach of the law.
The rally, organised by Extinction Rebellion, started shortly after 2pm with groups of 20 protesters or less gathering at Flinders St station, parliament and Queen Victoria Market.
Nine mask-wearing protesters — some dressed as bees — gathered in front of Flinders St station to perform road blocks.
As they blocked St Kilda Rd, the activists into on coming traffic:
“The oceans are rising, there’s no more compromising.”
There’s a large police presence around Flinders St station and Federation Square, including several mounted police.
Another group of protesters cycled by the station on bikes.
According to the Extinction Rebellion website, more than 300 people have signed up to take part in today’s rally.
Ahead of the rally, environmental activist group said it will protest in groups of no more than 20 with protesters taking part in bike rides, road blocks and art installations across the CBD.
One protester performed John Lennon’s Imagine and played guitar while the group blocked the road.
Mr Cornelius said it was frustrating for police to have to spell out the COVID-19 restrictions, pleading for protesters to use ‘’commonsense’’ to protect the community and sacrifices made to control coronavirus.
“We want to send a clear message to the protesters that you have a responsibility,’’ Mr Cornelius said.
“You have a responsibility to behave in a way that keeps the community safe. And you keep the community safe by abiding by the chief health officer directions.
“So I want to be very clear today, that if anyone involved in participating in the protests that are happening in our city today, whether they’re organisers or participants, if we do find them in breach of the chief health officer’s directions, we will be taking enforcement action against them.
“We will be issuing fines, and we will issue fines to both the organisers and the protesters, if any of them do breach the chief health officer directions’’.
The restrictions limit public gatherings to a total of 20.
Mr Cornelius said the expectation was that that number would not be breached.
He said protesters should be passionate about their cause, but equally passionate about community safety.
But he said police had been clear that the chief health officer’s directions must be complied with.
Protest organisers have been working with police and have given assurances the protest would comply with the health officer’s directions.
Mr Cornelius said ‘’group thinking’’ often took over.
“But I have to say, it’s terrible risk,’’ Mr Cornelius said.
“When you do find significant numbers turning up for protest, it does become very difficult for those organisers to carry through on those words, and those assurances.
“So I have to say, why take the risk? If we know that those risks are real and we know that things can get away from us despite our best intentions, why take the risk?
“Stay at home, unless you need to leave home for one of the activities approved by the chief health officer.’’
Mr Cornelius said we risked throwing away the hard work Victorians had achieved.
Protesters in groups will be rallying on the steps of parliament steps, intersections and on bicycles.
Organisers have assured police the protesters will be in groups no more than 20.
But Mr Cornelius said there was a fear group mentality would take over.
‘’I just have to say can we all just be grown up about this. Can we all take responsibility. Can we all exercise common sense and for goodness sake abide by the chief health officer’s directions because it’s about keeping the community safe.’’
“If we have to arrest people we will do so.’’
He also raised the prospect of police members, who will be in protective clothing, going “hands on’’ with people infected and catching the virus.
More protests are being planned in the coming weeks, which would put more lives at risk, he said.
Mr Cornelius said there was a growing trend by organisers to ‘’reactivate’’ protests and a rhetoric to ’’take the streets back again’’.
“It’s not time to take the streets back again. It’s time to stay at home and keep yourself safe and keep the community safe,’’ he said.
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