Sydney lockdown protesters warn Saturday rallies are ‘a police trap’
Lockdown protesters put on notice over Saturday rally, as organisers respond with a warning of their own.
Sydney residents considering attending anti-lockdown protests on Saturday have been told by last week’s organisers that doing so would land them right in the hands of police.
At least three anti-lockdown groups took to Telegram to warn protesters that no official events were planned for Saturday, and strongly advised against anyone attending any meeting.
One group of anti-lockdown organisers, who NCA NewsWire has chosen not to name, said no known organiser groups were operating any protest events on Saturday.
“We strongly advise against attending any protest events that claim to be operating,” the group said.
“Any planned event lacks an established ground team, and has been given insufficient promotional time and effort.
“Events claimed to be operated were fabricated from crudely edited versions of the poster used for the World Wide Rally for Freedom in Sydney, without the permission of the event’s organisers.
“Please standby for future events … that are operated by established organising teams.”
Another group told its followers the protest was “apparently a police trap”.
“No protest today! It’s a trap. Don’t go,” they said.
Police warned on Friday up to 1000 officers would meet anybody protesting in the city this weekend.
Last week, dozens of people were charged over the Sydney protests, attended by thousands.
The strike force investigating last week’s rallies has so far resulted in 200 fines and 60 charges, with more expected.
Commissioner Mick Fuller said anyone who turned up at protests this weekend could “expect the same sense of force”.
“Please don’t come into Sydney to protest,” he said.
“If you do, you will be met by up to 1000 police who will be ready to deal with you, whether that be via the health orders or other laws.”
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