More than 100 furious protesters arrested as anti-vaccination chanters block traffic
Police have arrested more than 100 people at an anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination rally as traffic was blocked by angry protesters in Melbourne.
NewsWire
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Police arrested 109 people and fined 108 on Saturday as angry protesters again blocked Melbourne traffic and chanted in the CBD.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said police would continue to respond to the ongoing protests that have been a fixture of the city for two weeks.
“Victoria Police will continue to have a highly visible presence to maintain public safety, and to ensure any protest activity that breaches the CHO directions does not impact on the broader community’s right to go about their daily lives,” she said.
Saturday’s rally was a much smaller group than the up to 2000 people that took over the West Gate Bridge and stormed throughout the city on September 21.
Protesters marched down Southbank Boulevard in the Melbourne CBD chanting “my body, my choice” in the afternoon in reference to mandatory vaccinations.
When the group moved back to the Yarra River police were seen tackling protesters to the ground.
The crowd had dispersed in the Botanic Gardens area by 2.30pm.
Earlier, police formed a barrier around Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and followed a group of anti-lockdown protesters.
At least one arrest was made by 12.30pm after word filtered through on Saturday morning that protesters were planning another day of action against the state government’s coronavirus restrictions and proposed workplace jab mandates.
Saturday’s planned protest – which follow two weeks of impromptu action and arrests in the Victorian capital – was reportedly being organised over Telegram messaging groups.
The city has witnessed numerous attempted protests over the past week but none have reached the fever pitch of the demonstrations that rocked Melbourne about two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Greater Shepparton and the town of Moorabool entered a seven-day lockdown overnight.
Originally published as More than 100 furious protesters arrested as anti-vaccination chanters block traffic
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