Protesters announcing Chief Minister’s home address at protest was shameful behaviour

The behaviour displayed by some at Saturday’s ‘freedom’ rally was shameful. It was un-Australian and spits in the face of everything the Northern Territory stands for.

EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion, it is part of the beauty of our democracy.

But when that opinion turns into a threat, it does more harm than good.

The behaviour displayed by some at Saturday’s “freedom” rally in ­Darwin city was disgusting.

Territorians who do not agree with the NT government’s vaccine mandate are more than entitled to voice their thoughts, but not in the way that was paraded.

It was horrifying to watch an ­individual with glee on his face announce Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s private address and urge others to “go get the dog”.

Chief Minister or not, no one deserves to be treated in such a way.

Many people in the crowds seemed to forget that like them, Mr Gunner also has a family.

It’s not hard to fathom the fear they might have had knowing people were being encouraged to target their home.

The behaviour was shameful.

It was un-Australian and spits in the face of everything the Northern Territory stands for.

We pride ourselves on being an open, inclusive and friendly place and we saw none of that on Saturday.

The people screaming Mr Gunner’s address for all the world to hear (it was being streamed on Facebook) and shouting threats need to take a long, hard look at themselves.

As the saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

The behaviour at the rally did nothing for their “cause”.

If Saturday’s protest had any effect at all, it showed how inconsiderate of vulnerable Territorians’ health and lives some people are.

Most of the protesters seem to ­forget the Northern Territory has not experienced first-hand the pain of Covid-19.

We have not felt the fear of a friend or loved one being put on a ventilator, unsure if they’ll come off it or not.

We have not suffered the pain of not being able to visit a parent or ­sibling as they wheeze their last breath, after being in a coma for weeks or months.

We have not endured the crippling pressure on our already stretched ­hospital system.

We have not sat in our homes for weeks and months on end, first enjoying Netflix and then dreading getting out of bed.

We have not had to calculate for how much longer our businesses can stay afloat.

It begs the question of when Covid comes to the Territory – and it will – if the screams of defiance of those protesters will turn into cries for help.

We all have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is part of the Territory way.

So pull your heads in and while you’re at it, roll up your sleeves.