Why Sam Newman backtracked on anti-lockdown protest plans
Days after encouraging 250,000 Victorians to protest against stage four coronavirus restrictions, Sam Newman has walked back his stance. But what prompted the change of heart?
Victoria
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Sam Newman has backtracked on his call for people to take to the streets to protest Victoria’s strict coronavirus restrictions.
On Sunday, Newman urged Victorians to “take the city/state back” and proposed that 250,000 people should gather on the CBD streets in protest over lockdown.
“Of all the protests that we have put up with, how about 1/4 million of us gather in the CBD to take the City/State back, before EVERY previous march will have been pointless. And hopefully a State day of co-ordination. Any takers. #StateofSurvival,” Newman tweeted.
On his You Cannot Be Serious podcast on Tuesday, Newman said it was an arbitrary figure and he was just trying to draw attention to the dire situation for struggling businesses.
“How am I mobilising people to march — what time, date, where and when,’’ he said.
“All I was trying to do was get enough people to get attention … I’m not advocating for people to come from all over Victoria to march up the city.
“I’m not advocating a rally as such. I just said wouldn’t it be great that 250,000 people would march in the city. That is hyperbole, that is designed to get the attention of the Government cautiously reopening business.
“I said I don’t have a business, I couldn’t give a stuff if they open the city or not because I don’t have a business but people are actually about to lose their livelihoods through the inaction and the stringent requirements that this Government is putting on people.
“All they do is tell you how many people have died and how many have contracted this virus. There’s got to be other things they can speak about.
“Plenty of people are about to never open their businesses again because it’s gone too far.”
It comes as two men were arrested and charged with incitement over a protest planned for Saturday.
“Police are continuing to actively investigate the coordination and encouragement of this activity, and are committed to putting a stop to this,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said of the protest.
“This is a serious breach of the Chief Health Officer directions and jeopardises the health of the entire community.
“Those still thinking of attending the CBD to protest on Saturday can expect a swift and firm response from police.”
The 28-year-old Coburg man and the 32-year-old Epping man were bailed and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 4 2021.
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