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Police arrest anti-lockdown rally organiser after raiding his home
Police have arrested one of the organisers of anti-lockdown action planned for this weekend after raiding his home.
The Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit arrested Tony Pecora after searching his Middle Park home, looking for computer devices, mobile phones, or anything that may be used to post on social media.
Tony Pecora, as a candidate for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party in the seat of Melbourne.Credit: United Australia Party
The raid, at about 1pm on Thursday, came after Mr Pecora reposted details of a planned anti-lockdown mass gathering in Melbourne after Facebook removed the listing. Mr Pecora was not home at the time of the raid.
Shortly after the raid, Mr Pecora handed himself in at St Kilda Police Station where he was arrested and interviewed by police. It's expected he'll be charged with incitement, but no charges had been laid at the time of publication.
It follows the dramatic arrest last Wednesday of pregnant Ballarat woman Zoe Buhler, who was charged with incitement over a Facebook post in which she encouraged people to attend a rally against coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Mr Pecora told The Age on his way to hand himself in at St Kilda Police Station that the raid had shaken him, his wife and their young child.
“I’ve tried to comply with their protocols,” he said. "This is getting very heavy."
A police spokesperson reiterated their intention to crack down on potential protest actions over the weekend.
"Once again over this weekend we will have resources committed to ensuring that people who deliberately put public health and safety at risk by breaching the directions receive fines or are arrested, if necessary," the spokesperson said.
Police making an arrest after a scuffle with protesters at the Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday.Credit: Justin McManus
Police said leaving home for protest was not a valid reason under stage four restrictions, and that police would be closely monitoring potential public protest activity in order to prevent gatherings while it is still unlawful.
"Victoria Police maintains a strong capacity to respond at any point in time."
On Wednesday, more than a thousand anti-lockdown protesters signalled their intention to take part in a "Freedom Walk" at the Tan this Saturday after last weekend's protest at Albert Park, which saw 17 people arrested and several charged.
The group, “Melbourne Freedom Group”, and Mr Pecora, are also spruiking a “Sunday Surprise”, details of which are promised to be released “pending legalities”.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said authorities would take the same approach to protests as they did last weekend, which saw violent clashes between police and marchers.
Mr Pecora – an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist dropped by Clive Palmer as his party's candidate for the seat of Melbourne at the last federal election – called on supporters to spread details of the march, something police say violates the terms of the Chief Health Officer's orders.
“Please like and share and spread the word,” the event details on Facebook says.
Mr Pecora told The Age on Wednesday that he hoped Tan march would become a weekly event that grows in size and that the events were designed to remain compliant with stage four restrictions.
He said he had encouraged people to wear masks and practise social distancing.
Protesters fighting with police when they were being arrested.Credit: Justin McManus
Police said that under stage four restrictions in Melbourne any form of public protest activity cannot occur, and that "it doesn't matter if you wear a mask and it doesn't matter if you try and disguise it as exercise – leaving home to protest is still not permitted".
Facebook, which has not yet provided specific details about why it removes specific events and how it deals with events when they are re-listed, took the post down after about 1500 people had indicated an attendance or interest and said they were "currently investigating the issue".
Police estimated about 200 people gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance last Saturday morning after people used social media to tout "Freedom Day" rallies across the country. Organisers of that event, however, suggested police estimates were low and that turnout was much higher.
Mounted officers were used to move the crowd on about midday amid chants of "Dictator Dan" and "Let the kids live".
After that event, protesters vowed to continue taking to the streets in defiance of coronavirus restrictions.