Anti-lockdown protesters warned to expect fines, arrests in Sydney

Cops have revealed one of the tactics protesters have been planning to avoid the huge police presence at the planned anti-lockdown rally.

Some protesters planning to attend Saturday’s anti-lockdown rally are expected to disguise themselves as health care workers in an attempt to evade police.

People have been warned to expect massive fines and potential criminal charges if they attend the protest in Sydney, where they will be met by more than 1400 officers, including riot squad and mounted police.

Metropolitan Field Operations Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Friday that NSW Police were aware of some of the tactics people were planning to use at the rally to avoid being caught breaching public health orders.

Greater Sydney will be in lockdown for at least 13 weeks. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

He said police had contacted people who attended the first so-called “Freedom Rally” on July 24 and issued a number of them with public safety orders.

“These orders restrict the movement of these people and are designed to stop them being able to protest tomorrow,” he said.

Anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists were joined by Sydney residents frustrated with tough coronavirus restrictions at the previous rally, in which about 3500 people marched through central Sydney.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott has warned would-be protesters to expect fines and possible charges on Saturday. Picture: Bianca De Marchi / NCA NewsWire

More than 60 of those who attended have been charged and 350 others issued fines.

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said the protesters that police had spoken to were “by and large” remorseful.

“We believe they have heeded the message,” he said.

Victorian anti-lockdown activist Anthony Khallouf will spend three months in prison for breaching public health orders and for his part in organising Saturday’s rally.

Mr Khallouf, the founder of Australians vs The Agenda, faced court in Sydney on Friday.

He was arrested on Thursday at Hornsby railway station, where he told police he was lost.

The 29-year-old arrived in Sydney last weekend after driving from Queensland in breach of travel restrictions.

He had reportedly been staying in a four-star hotel in the city’s north.

The lockdown in greater Sydney has been extended until the end of September, which will mean at least 13 weeks of stay-at-home orders for people in Australia’s largest city.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott said people attending the rally on Saturday risked a further extension of the lockdown they were protesting against.

“You’ll also be endangering the lives of your loved ones and of course prolonging this lockdown,” he said.

“By all means, freedom of speech still exists. Ring your local MP, ring talkback radio, write a letter to the editor, start an online petition.

“And hopefully, sit aside and plan how you do want to express your freedom of speech and freedom of movement when we get on the other side of this pandemic.”