Anti-mask protesters moved on from Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance by police
Cops have slapped 18 anti-masker protesters with large fines at a Melbourne war memorial, before dramatically leading two people away in handcuffs.
An anti-masker has screamed “Australia, we’re going to be free soon” and claimed coronavirus is a “lie” after being chased by police at a Melbourne protest which fizzled before it even started on Friday morning.
A man and a woman were also handcuffed and led away by officers to a divvy van near the city’s sacred Shrine of Remembrance as police cracked down on the anti-mask event.
The man was given a mask following his arrest, while the woman wore one around her neck.
Police also chased a young man across the park and restrained him near office buildings on St Kilda Rd.
He yelled “Australia, we’re going to be free soon”, “democracy always wins” and said coronavirus was a lie before claiming he had a medical condition that prevented him from wearing a mask.
He was let go after being searched by officers.
Two adults and a child, who bizarrely all had their faces covered, are believed to have been fined $1652 after they approached the event carrying 1901 Federal Red Ensign flags, carried by many of the protesters.
Another man argued with police next to the eternal flame about his rights to “worship” before he was threatened with a fine and quickly left.
“I’m just here to worship, it’s not a crime,” he told police.
He was wearing a scarf that he could pull up over his face.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the pair were arrested for failing to provide their details to officers.
She said they were fined $1652 for breaching the chief health officer’s restrictions, with police issuing a total of 18 infringements at the event.
“The fines issued were to people who attended the area today for a demonstration,” she said.
“Police directed the individuals to leave the area or receive an infringement notice for breaching the chief health officer’s directives. All individuals received a $1652 fine.”
Police, including eight public order response vehicles, the mounted branch and bike patrol, have set up a perimeter surrounding the area to stop any potential protesters from even reaching the Shrine.
Earlier Friday morning, a different group of anti-mask protesters descended on the war memorial in an attempt to get an early jump on police.
The spokeswoman said police had also issued four fines to protesters who attended the earlier event.
“Despite the fact individuals who attended the earlier morning protest immediately left the area when requested to do so by police, we have issued four fines to those who attended this event,” she said.
“We will continue to investigate the event in order to identify individuals who were in attendance, and plan to issue them with fines for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.”
More than a dozen protesters were seen gathered around the eternal flame just after dawn.
Many of the group were not wearing masks, others had scarfs they could pull up over their face, while a few were wearing masks.
The group’s leader spent two or three minutes speaking before they were quickly moved on by police.
Anti-maskers have gathered at the Shrine of Rememberence in Melbourne. More than a dozen here as well as police. Most AREN’T wearing masks @7NewsMelbourne @7NewsAustralia #COVID19Vic pic.twitter.com/huATOM1ApW
— Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) July 30, 2020
They were also carrying a handful of Red Ensign flags.
The Church of United Kingdom of Australia organised the event for what its Facebook site described as a Commonwealth of Australia Day event, where they encouraged masks not to be worn.
They said the event would “exercise a claim of freedom”.
Police previously warned they would take action over blatant, deliberate or obvious breaches of the chief health officer’s directions at the gathering.
#BREAKING: Anti-mask protesters have been moved on by police from Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. #9News pic.twitter.com/Ivn5mjNfCK
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) July 30, 2020
Police confirmed they dispersed the group as the event didn’t comply with the chief health officer’s directives.
“Police will investigate the events of this morning’s demonstration and plan to issue fines to individuals who were identified,” police said in a statement.
“We will also continue to investigate to identify other individuals who were in attendance, and we will consider enforcement options.
“There will continue to be a highly visible police presence in the area throughout the day to ensure the chief health officer’s directions are complied with.”
Man charged with baby’s murder
A man from country NSW has been charged with the murder of a four-month-old baby boy who died in hospital last month.
Hostage families urge Israel to complete Gaza truce deal ahead of swap
Hostage families urge Israel to complete Gaza truce deal ahead of swap