EPA
Police on horseback calmed passions
Thousands of people across Australia protested on Saturday against the strict restrictive state measures introduced to stop the kovid-19 epidemic. The largest protest rally was held in Sydney, where police estimated that there were about 3,500 people shouting “freedom, freedom”, as well as numerous anti-government slogans, and carrying hundreds of banners with messages against government measures.
Unofficial information from eyewitnesses and some media indicates that there were more people at this protest, which turned into general chaos.
Similar protests, but with slightly fewer demonstrators, took place in Melbourne and Brisbane
An unreported protest march in Sydney moved from Victoria Park in Camperdown, through Central Railway Station, further towards Martin Place and Circular Quay, in the presence of strong police forces, among which were units on horseback.
On several occasions, there were sporadic incidents, and then there was general commotion and chaos on the central streets of the city. The balance is 57 detainees, against whom indictments have been filed, as well as dozens of slightly injured demonstrators and public order guards.
New South Wales Police Minister David Eliot said special teams would work to identify other protesters.
– Today in Sydney we saw 3,500 selfish fools, people who thought that the law did not apply to them – said Eliot and added that especially “ringleaders” can expect a call from the police or a patrol at the door of their home, starting the same evening.
He then emphasized that he was sure that at least one of the protesters was infected with the corona virus and appealed to all protesters to be tested.
– It is statistically impossible that at least one person was not infected. If not for themselves, let everyone be tested for their families and friends – said the Minister of Police.
Officially, the demonstrations were secured by 400 policemen in uniform, and Eliot says that those who plan to repeat such riots can expect 4,000 members of the law enforcement agencies next time.
The first major clashes between the demonstrators and the police took place in front of the Town Hall, where the gathered citizens pelted the police with various objects. After that, the police formed cordons and set up barricades on George Street.
“Wake up, Australia,” chanted protesters, most of whom were not wearing protective masks. Among the numerous slogans, the ones in which people sought their rights and freedom were most often heard. The police of New South Wales announced in a statement that they “recognize and support” the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly of citizens, but not when the current health orders are violated.
Noting that “the safety of the wider community is always a priority”, the police remind that state measures against kovids are in force, which do not allow any public gatherings, but can be a maximum of two people together, exclusively for recreation.
New South Wales Minister of Health Brad Hazard assessed that everyone who came out to protest was “funny”.
– At a time when the number of infected is constantly jumping, we have people who think it is okay to gather and demonstrate close to each other – said Hazard and reminded that a record 163 cases of local transmission of kovid were recorded in NSW that day.
He added that the demonstrations put NSW’s recovery at risk, as further spread of the infection and extension of restrictive measures is possible.
Torches in front of the Victoria Parliament
A far smaller protest was recorded in Melbourne, in which, according to the police, slightly more than a thousand people participated. They marched from Flinders Station towards the Victoria Parliament and shouted slogans against the locking measures.
Several torches and smoke bombs were set on fire in front of the Parliament, and the police announced that 67 people were punished for violating the measures, while four will be charged for trying to cause riots.
Police in Brisbane announced that about 1,500 people took part in the protests in this city, who gathered in the Botanical Garden. Most did not wear masks, and they shouted and carried slogans against restrictions, but also against vaccination.
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