Protesters march on Ballarat Civic Hall against mandatory vaccination

Hundreds of protesters have descended on Ballarat Civic Hall chanting ‘free Victoria’ and calling for the premier to be jailed.

Hundreds of protesters are gathering outside the Ballarat Civic Hall ahead of a day of rallies in the central Victorian city.

A heavy police presence is on standby in the centre of the city as more and more anti-vaxxers flood in waving Australia and Eureka flags.

Protesters cried ‘Free Victoria!’ and ‘Jail Dan Andrews!’ in front of Ballarat’s Civic Hall on Sunday afternoon, wielding Eureka Flags, inverted Australian flags, United Australia Party placards, and homemade signs with slogans opposing the premier and vaccine mandates.

Protesters marching in the street in Ballarat. Picture: Rob Leeson

At least 70 police officers surrounded the hall courtyard and nearby businesses.

Protesters claim to be rallying against the Covid vaccine or the mandated enforcement of it, while others are handing out Christian flyers or promote political parties.

MP Craig Kelly earned himself a celebrity welcome.

The controversial MP called it an “historic occasion” and likened the protest to the Eureka Stockade of 1854.

Protesters gathering outside the Ballarat Civic Hall.

Hundreds of protesters are gathering outside the Ballarat Civic Hall ahead of a day of rallies in the central Victorian city. Picture: Supplied

He said the requirement to be vaccinated in order to work was unethical and “Un-Australian”, before promoting the United Australia Party.

The group congregated to the tune of John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’, and the organisers of local group Eureka United opened the meeting, while teens took the opportunity to skateboard in the middle of the road, taunting the police.

A man watching the event from across the road called it “the best entertainment ever”.

At about 2.30, police led the protestors through town while they continued to call for freedom.

Several nearby shops and cafes closed ahead of the protests, while the nearby Ballarat Fine Art Gallery said it is prepared to close its doors immediately if required.

Thousands of ‘freedom’ protesters were predicted to descend on the regional Victorian, in opposition to the state’s vax mandate and a bid to reclaim the Eureka flag.

Organisers earlier urged anti-vaxxers to form a convoy from 11am, outbound from Melbourne, over the West Gate Bridge.

MP Craig Kelly appeared at the protest in Ballarat. Picture: Supplied

Ballarat’s Eureka Centre, usually open on Sundays, has decided to close in response to the protest.

Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion organiser Dr Joseph Toscano said the protesters’ interpretation of history and the meaning of the Eureka flag was wrong.

“The dilemma is this,” he said. “These people are somehow thinking that the Eureka Rebellion has something to do with their right to strut around and spread disease and put other peoples’ lives in danger.

“As far as rights are concerned, the most important right is the right to life, if you can live independently of your mother’s womb. All other rights stem from your ability to exercise that right.

“If you’re dead, you can’t have freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of association.”

He called it “deranged and ludicrous” to think Ballarat miners would have wanted people so many years later to potentially spread a disease, “putting neighbours’, friends’, and families’ lives in danger”.

“To clamber on the Eureka bandwagon is a travesty of everything the Eureka miners and their families and supporters and friends fought and died for,” Dr Toscano said.

“It is exceptionally painful for people like me who have been promoting the principles of Eureka for decades.”

Eureka historians say anti-vax protesters are misusing the Eureka flag and should back off its home of Ballarat. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Ballarat Trades Hall and Labour Council secretary Brett Edgington called the Eureka Rebellion a “working-class movement for legislative reform and for social-democratic rights”.

He said that protesters’ use of the Eureka legacy to back up their ideas was “a grasp at straws”.

Ballarat police have said they expect disruptions in the Ballarat CBD and in Bakery Hill on Sunday afternoon, with Mair Street, Peel Street, Victoria Street, Curtis Street, Little Bridge Street, Sturt Street and Lydiard Street to be affected from about midday to 5pm.

The Ballarat protest comes after tens-of-thousands of protesters swarmed Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday, calling for “power to the people” and “freedom of choice” over vaccination mandates.

police said the rally was peaceful and there were no arrests.

It comes as 39 Covid cases have now been linked to recent mass gatherings in Melbourne, an increase of three since Friday.

Of these cases, only one person was fully vaccinated and three cases had received one dose of vaccine.

Three people have been admitted to hospital and one is in intensive care.

Public health investigations have found 14 cases attended the mass gatherings while infectious, with 22 cases deemed to have possibly acquired Covid during the protests.

An additional 32 cases have been linked indirectly to the protests through spread to family members and at other social events from people who attended the protests.

In disturbing scenes, many of the Melbourne demonstrators made their way to ABC’s Southbank studios, where organisers demanded to speak with managing director Ita Buttrose.

Police officers blocked the crowd from the entrance to the ABC’s Melbourne headquarters.

The crowd remained for some time, being led in chants of “tell the truth” and “liars”.

Independent MP Craig Kelly – who has been extremely vocal in his stance against vaccine mandates – addressed the Saturday crowd just after 1.30pm, declaring the vaccine rollout a “global medical experiment”.

“I am no longer in a great city, I am here in a fascist, medical state,” he said, urging protesters to vote for the United Australia Party at the next federal election.

“In the next election … we are going to fight for the people, fight for the freedoms of Victorians,” he said.

Melbourne protesters gather in opposition to Andrews Government’s pandemic Bill at state Parliament. Picture: Alex Coppel

The group has been chanting “kill the bill” and “sack Dan Andrews” in protest of the state government’s pandemic law.

The legislation, which passed the upper house on Thursday, will shift the responsibility from the chief health officer to the Premier and Health Minister, who will be able to declare pandemics and issue health orders.

The changes will come into effect from December 16 when the current state of emergency expires.

Protesters blew horns and beat drums as they brought traffic to a standstill on Spring St.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at state Parliament. Picture: Alex Coppel

The growing crowd has been mostly peaceful in its protest, with a heavy police presence.

Some protesters were brandishing Australian, Eureka and Donald Trump flags.

Outspoken Melbourne GP, Peter Johnston, told crowds to continue their fight against mandatory Covid vaccinations.

“These Covid jabs are telling your body what to do – they’re like our Premier,” he said.

“Every country that has a high vaccination rate has a high number of cases.

Protesters swarmed Treasury Gardens. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Anti-government protesters in Treasury Gardens. Picture: Ian Currie

“The idea of a vaccine passport to reduce the spread is absolute nonsense.

“The passports are not for the people, they’re for the government.

“It serves to divide the community.”

Mounted police arrived at midday to barricade the steps of parliament, as highway patrol also blocked off Spring St.

The group marched down Spring St as they shouted “arrest Dan Andrews” and “save our children”.

Protesters swarmed Treasury Gardens as they kicked off the rally with an acoustic music performance.

The performers were stationed on a truck, plastered with a picture of Premier Daniel Andrews and the phrase “repeal the bill”.

Protesters chanted slogans against the pandemic bill. Picture: Sarah Perillo

Confetti filled the air as the group sang along.

Protesters have vowed to continue to march “every week”.

Last Saturday’s rally, which shut down city traffic and public transport, was advertised by the same group, Melbourne Freedom Rally, as a protest to “sack Dan Andrews”.

Originally published as Protesters march on Ballarat Civic Hall against mandatory vaccination