A convoy of prosteters calls for refugees beings held at Preston Mantra to be released
A convoy of peaceful protesters have blasted music from their decorated cars while calling for the release of refugees being held at a Mantra hotel.
Police & Courts
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A cavalcade of masked refugee protesters have defied police orders to stay at home.
Up to 30 peaceful protesters have driven in a convoy outside the Mantra hotel in Preston this afternoon.
Police have spoken to each vehicle and taken personal details of each protester.
It is understood they will each be issued with a $1652 fine.
Activist group Refugee Action Collective are calling for the release of refugees held at the hotel alleging detention centres are like “cruise ships on land”.
“It is only a matter of time before COVID-19 devastates detention centres,” spokesman Chris Breen said.
“Refugees in the Mantra hotel have come to Australia under the Medevac legislation and many have health conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID-19.
“They sleep up to three to a room, and activity areas like the TV room do not have space for social distancing.”
The cavalcade attracted intrigued onlookers on Hotham St.
Some protesters have gone as far as decorating their cars with politically charged slogans such as: “Sack Dutton.”
Others have blared upbeat didgeridoo music out of their car stereo systems.
Anyone in the street was asked for essential services identification, including the media.
Inspector Tom Ebinger from Darebin police said the convoy were questioned in regards to breaches of the Chief Health Officers restrictions.
“A number of penalty notices will be issued as a result,” Insp Ebinger said.
“Protest activity is not an exemption.
“There were here for an honourable purpose but community health has got to take priority for us and protest activity isn’t legal in the current environment.”
Inspector Ebinger said police encouraged people to abide by the guidelines.
“We have a responsibility to the community,” he said.
“The activity should have probably been postponed until the pandemic was over.”
Refugees at the Mantra hotel held up signs and waved from their rooms.
“Free us before covid19 kills us,” one sign said.
Another said: “Set us free”.
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