Covid-19 Australia: Anti-lockdown protests rage in Queensland, Victoria and NSW
Violent Freedom Rally protests across Australia have erupted, leaving police in some states little choice but to arrest anti-lockdown protesters.
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Thousands of people have rallied across Australia in protest of lockdowns, border closures and Covid-19 vaccines.
NSW Police managed to contain 250 people who marched in the CBD, after putting more than 1400 officers across the city to stop them in their tracks. Around 30,000 cars were turned around.
But others in NSW were undeterred by a warning from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller that they would be met with the full force of the law if they gathered in defiance of public health orders.
NSW Police Minister David Elliott said more than 40 people were arrested and warned those who planned to protest again that they would face “plenty of police” ready to stop any civil disobedience.
In Melbourne, police officers were hospitalised and more than 200 people arrested in Melbourne following a violent protest in the CBD where police used pepper spray and OC foam canisters in an attempt to control the fiery crowds.
Chaotic scenes erupted soon after more than 4000 congregated in the CBD from about midday on Saturday to protest against the Covid-19 lockdown.
Police fired rubber bullets and deployed pepper spray on the streets of Melbourne as thousands gathered in defiance of the city’s public health orders.
Some protesters carried signs that stated “vaccines kill” and “open schools and parks now”.
As music blared, the crowd chanted: “Sack Dan Andrews.”
Police arrested 218 people, issued 236 fines and have three people in custody for assaulting police.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said seven people were injured, including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and others with concussions.
One officer was treated at the scene for a cut to his neck.
“The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them,” the spokesperson said.
“While there were some peaceful protestors in attendance, the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind.”
Every arrested protestor will be fined $5452 for breaching the CHO directions.
And in Queensland, about 1500 people attended a protest of the same nature.
The group gathered in Brisbane Botanical Gardens from 11am before marching from Parliament House into the city.
A man at the rally yelled approached media crews filming the event chanting “propaganda” saying he didn’t want his children to “grow up as slaves”.
Other protesters were seen abusing members of the media, telling them “you’re the f***ing virus”.
Signs reading “end the lockdowns, open borders” and “Don’t believe the Covid-19 hoax pandemic” could be seen throughout the crowds.
Here are some of the most shocking scenes:
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
QUEENSLAND
Originally published as Covid-19 Australia: Anti-lockdown protests rage in Queensland, Victoria and NSW
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