Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asked people not to break coronavirus social-distancing rules by attending Black Lives Matter protests this weekend, telling them to "find a better way" of expressing themselves.
Key points:
- The Prime Minister says people should not gather to protest because of the coronavirus risk
- Protests are planned in many major capital cities over the weekend
- The Chief Medical Officer has been asked to consider health advice for the protests
He said anyone who did attend would put their own health, and the health of others, at risk.
"I say to them: don't go," Mr Morrison said.
"Our message is very clear that the health risks of gathering in such large numbers and into close proximity are real.
"Let's find a better way and another way to express these sentiments."
The Prime Minister urged anyone thinking of attending to remember the "sacrifices" others had made during the coronavirus restrictions, including the cancellation of group commemorations for Anzac Day and limited gatherings at funerals.
The protests are in response to the alleged murder of African American George Floyd by a police officer in the US.
Mr Morrison's plea for people to remain at home came hours before NSW police announced they would seek Supreme Court action deeming protests planned for tomorrow illegal.
"This is because the protesters could not guarantee adherence to the health orders," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
"They could not guarantee safe social distancing and simply the number of protesters far exceeds the health orders and we can't afford to have exceptions for anybody."
A hearing on the matter is due this afternoon.
Mr Morrison said it was "important" people had the right to protest, but that the potential consequences outweighed the risk of spreading the virus.
"I said at the outset that we had to deal with this crisis in a way consistent with our values and who we are as Australians and that is true," he said.
"But with those liberties come great responsibility.
At the same time as the Prime Minister was asking people to think twice before going to any events, a large group of protesters was walking towards Parliament House.
The group included many people with Aboriginal flags and Black Lives Matter signs.
As well as the Canberra protest and others in different cities earlier in the week, more rallies are planned in many of the major capital cities over the weekend.
The Prime Minister said he asked the expert health panel that has been advising the Government on coronavirus risks to consider the protests and provide advice.
The Victorian Chief Health Officer also reiterated his warning that mass gatherings posed significant health risks, urging people to rethink attending protests.
"I would not want people to be exposed and bring it back to their families, to their communities," Professor Brett Sutton said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA2LTA1L3BtLXRlbGxzLXBlb3BsZS1ub3QtdG8tYXR0ZW5kLWJsYWNrLWxpdmVzLW1hdHRlci1wcm90ZXN0cy8xMjMyNTIxMNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjMyNTIxMA?oc=5
2020-06-05 03:05:17Z
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