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Anti-vax and mandate protesters flock to parliament house

Hundreds of anti-vax and mandate protesters have descended upon parliament house screaming “my body, my choice”.

"Freedom" protesters at NT parliament house

UPDATE: PROTESTERS stood on the lawns of Parliament House on Wednesday shouting feminist chants in an effort to gain the Chief Minister’s attention.

However, Michael Gunner refused to give the anti-vax and anti-mandate protesters air, instead thanking the majority of Territorians who had been vaccinated.

“Rather than talk about the minuscule, selfish minority of people ignoring health advice and endangering the lives of Territorians, I thank the overwhelming majority ... who have done the right thing,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

The lunchtime rally lasted for a little over an hour, with myriad propagandists sharing their views on behalf of family or friends who “could not speak for themselves”.

Organisers acknowledged the Larrakia People as endorsing and protecting the rally but Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive Nigel Browne said that was misleading. “When those assertions are made, they are not accurate,” he said. “They might have spoken to one person but that doesn’t mean that is the permission or belief of the group.”

EARLIER: HUNDREDS of anti-vax and mandate protesters have descended upon parliament house screaming “my body, my choice”, “terminate the mandate” and “freedom”.

They also began naming body parts that were “their choice".

NT Police estimate about 800 people attended. No one within parliament engaged with the protesters or came out.

The protest began about midday with protesters waving signs and shouting at the steps of parliament house before moving to the side of the building. Prior to going to parliament house, they walked past the ABC plastering windows with stickers asking questions.

Organiser Chris Bell described the group as unavoidable “like the tide coming in”.

A member of the protest stood up, stating she was marching for her mother who did not want to take an “experimental shot” and as a result was going to lose her job.

Children were also at the rally. The group vowed to repeat the protest on Saturday.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner made a statement on Facebook condemning the rally.

“There is an anti vax rally out the front of parliament today,” he said.

“Rather than talk about the minuscule, selfish minority of people ignoring health advice and endangering the lives of Territorians, I thank the overwhelming majority of Territorians who have done the right thing by getting vaccinated. You are all Territory champions.”

Read related topics:Covid NT

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/antivax-and-mandate-protesters-flock-to-parliament-house/news-story/b8923d84ba7237cc1cf504b584ada0db