Covid protest: Anti-vaccine mandate rally draws hundreds to Toowoomba’s Queens Park

Holding signs denouncing the Covid-19 vaccine and public health measures, a large crowd descended on Toowoomba’s Queens Park for an anti-vax mandate protest.

An anti-vaccine mandate rally drew a large crowd of “freedom” protesters to Toowoomba’s Queens Park this afternoon as part of a nationwide campaign against the state government’s vaccine requirements that are set to kick in within weeks.

The protest was part of the Millions March against Mandatory Covid Vaccination, a group opposed to vaccine mandates and passports, which are due to come into effect from December 17 or when Queensland hits 80 per cent double-vaxxed.

Anti vaccination mandate rally held in Queens park. Saturday, November 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on November 9 that fully vaccinated Queenslanders would be “rewarded” on December 17 with eased restrictions, however the same freedoms are not set to be afforded to those that have not received the jab.

As it stands, unvaccinated people will be unable to visit hospitals, attend hospitality venues such as bars, restaurants and cafes or watch live sport or music.

The laws will also mean those that are unvaccinated come December would be at risk of losing their jobs.

Anti vaccination mandate rally held in Queens park. Saturday, November 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Rallying against the mandate, the crowd cheered in defiance against the Covid-19 vaccination requirements, with both young and old holding signs with slogans such as “coercion is not consent”, “hands off our children” and “open your eyes to the media lies”.

A woman who claimed to be a nurse of 39 years told the crowd Australia “was in distress” over the vaccination mandate.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk, where is the pandemic if you can stand down 7000 healthcare workers because they won’t get the Covid-19 injection,” she said.

Anti vaccination mandate rally held in Queens park. Saturday, November 27, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

There were similar protests across the state, with thousands of people descending on a Gold Coast park vowing not to “bow down” to pressure by the state government to get jabbed.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said there were between 250-300 people at the rally, and there were no arrests or cautions issued.