Mackay police arrest three men at anti vaccination rally

A breakaway group of anti-vax protesters who allegedly turned violent at a major shopping centre will be investigated as it is revealed a person arrested was Covid-positive.

A positive Covid-19 case was among the group of anti-vax protesters that stormed Caneland Central after a peaceful protest allegedly turned violent.

The group had applied and received permission to protest at Bluewater Quay but Mackay Acting Inspector Mick Searle said the protest became unlawful when some of the group began to march along River St into Caneland Central.

Five police crews arrived at the centre shortly after 11am on Saturday to help security but police will allege some protesters became violent and assaulted them.

Mackay police arrested three men after an anti vaccination rally at Caneland Central allegedly turned violent.

Two men, a 38 year old and a 52 year old, were arrested and charged on Saturday with obstructing police and public nuisance,

A 59-year-old man was charged with serious assault of a police officer in addition to obstructing police and public nuisance.

Inspector Searle said one of these men was a confirmed Covid-19 case and has been issued with an infringement notice for breaching Covid-19 isolation rules and laws.

A fourth man was also charged on Sunday with public nuisance and obstruct police.

Multiple police units were called to the Matsuura Dr shopping centre about 11am Saturday.

“Further investigations are occurring as we speak, police are reviewing body worn footage, CCTV from the centre and any evidentiary video we can source,” Inspector Searle said.

“We will continue to investigate for other offences that may have occurred from this incident.”

A protest crowd converged on Caneland Central as part of a Mackay freedom rally.

Inspector Searle said the Freedom Protests organisers had been compliant with police in the past and said lawful protests would still be able to continue.

“The march that was conducted was not applied for and was not part of the lawful assembly permit that had been issued,” he said.

The rallies were in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination mandate with many people now required to show proof of their vaccination status to retain employment.

Police dispersed a large crowd of protesters at Caneland Central in Mackay.

A QPS spokesman said protests and rallies were a fundamental right provided in the Peaceful Assembly Act 1991 and the Human Rights Act 2019.

“Protest activity must be undertaken in accordance with the laws of Queensland, which balance the rights of individuals, industry and community safety,” he said.

At least 100 people formed the crowd that marched on Caneland Central in Mackay.

Current state legislation provides an organiser the process to submit a notice of intention to conduct a protest.

“A failure to do so does not make any protest unlawful. Where this process is followed it protects the participants from civil and criminal responsibility from the disruption caused by the protest,” the spokesman said.

Three men were arrested as police dispersed a large crowd of protesters at Caneland Central in Mackay.

“Those who attend protests are reminded of restrictions and requirements associated with Covid-19.

“Those who deliberately and recklessly ignore the CHO directions could face fines.”

Originally published as Mackay police arrest three men at anti vaccination rally