Small protest turnout against coronavirus guidelines

Seven people have been arrested at a protest against Victoria’s COVID-19 regulations.

9/08/20 A man is arrested after be became agitated with Police outside Victorian parliament where an anti-mask protest was planned. He was chanting "no forced vaccinations". Aaron Francis/The Australian

Seven people have been arrested at a protest against Victoria’s COVID-19 regulations.

Up to 400 people were expected to gather on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Sunday but two organisers of the anti-lockdown “freedom day” rally were arrested on Thursday night.

The planned rally was supported by so-called “sovereign citizens” and coronavirus conspiracy theorists.

More than a dozen police cars, a divisional van and eight police horses waited on Spring Street on Sunday morning, prepared for scores of protesters to arrive. Instead, police issued only 27 fines for breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directions. Six people refused to provide details to police and were arrested before being released once they provided their details. They were fined $1652 each.

One unmasked man was dragged away by Victoria Police, loudly protesting against restrictions and mandatory vaccinations. “I am Australian,” the man yelled. “I haven’t done anything wrong … I have freedom to express myself. ”

Twenty-four fines were issued for breaching CHO directions for leaving home for a non-essential reason. One person was fined $200 for not wearing a mask.