Woman dragged from car at police checkpoint as fresh protest looms - The Age

A Melbourne woman has filmed police pulling her from her car sparking a fresh social media storm about the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions, ahead of another anti-lockdown protest in the city on Sunday.

A screenshot of Natalie Bonett's video, where police are seen removing her from her car at a Wallan checkpoint. Credit:Facebook

Natalie Bonett claims she was stopped by police at the vehicle checkpoint at Wallan north of Melbourne and told the phone charger mount on her windshield was "illegal".

In video posted online which has been shared by thousands of people, an officer asks the woman, "are you going to state your name and address to me?".

He then asked Ms Bonett to step out of the car.

After she refuses to leave the car, the officer calls to others and Ms Bonett complains that she is being questioned about having a phone charger that are sold "everywhere".

The police officer replies: "That's not the problem any more, the problem is you are not stating your name for me, could you get out of the car please."

She again refuses saying she "doesn't feel safe" because the police officer is armed.

The police officer then said: "You are safe don't worry about that" before opening the car door, unbuckles Ms Bonett's seat belt and drags her out of the car.

A man in the car can be heard yelling, "she's got anxiety, relax, she's sick!" as Ms Bonett screams.

On social media, the woman claimed four officers later "had their knees in my back and (she) couldn’t breathe" as she was handcuffed.

"I am shaking and my blood is boiling," she posted on Facebook.

Another video posted online, but subsequently deleted showed Ms Bonett sitting on the ground handcuffed.

Victoria Police have been contacted for comment about the incident.

Fresh protest

About 150 people have indicated on social media they are interested in attending another "freedom day" rally on Sunday, a day after more than dozen people were arrested at a similar demonstration.

An anti-lockdown supporter is questioned by Victoria Police.Credit:Chris Hopkins

The event page states the location of the protest will not be disclosed until an hour before it begins at 11am.

It lists its organiser as Arkwell Tripelligo, the online alias for Tony Pecora, who was arrested and bailed this week after he was charged with inciting protest activity.

A court on Friday heard the 43-year-old believed coronavirus is a "genetically engineered virus created by world banks to kill off weaker humans".

The court heard police first arrested Mr Pecora for alleged breaches of the Chief Health Officer's directions during a protest at the Shrine of Remembrance on August 22.

Sunday's planned protest comes after anti-lockdown rallies fizzled out on Saturday amid confusion over locations, gloomy weather and an immense police presence.

An anti-lockdown supporter is detained by Victoria Police after refusing to provide details and breaking the Chief Health Officer's guidelines.Credit:Chris Hopkins

Several people were arrested by the Botanic Gardens, while a handful of individuals loitering on the grass, waiting for reinforcements that never came, were moved on with fines or without incident.

A statement from Victoria Police on Saturday afternoon said 14 people were arrested and 51 fines issued amongst a pool of about 100 protesters at "various locations".

Earlier this week, more than 1300 people had indicated their online interest in the freedom walk, which was on Saturday slammed by Premier Daniel Andrews as "selfish and unlawful".

A large police presence was out this morning at the Shrine and the Botanical gardens amid concern about a planned anti-lockdown protest. Credit:Chris Hopkins

A police spokesman said in the lead up to and the duration of Saturday's protest they had visited 90 persons of interest, urging them not to attend.

"Our investigations into this protest will continue, and we expect to issue further fines once the identity of individuals has been confirmed," he said.

Police have been urging protesters not to attend the rallies, urging them to voice their concerns about the lockdown in other ways that aren't illegal.

Protesters at last weekend's anti-lockdown rally.Credit:Justin McManus

Noting that it was the third time in two weeks he has addressed the media about anti-lockdown rallies Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said on Friday it was “incredibly frustrating” to have to continuously urge people not to attend the protests.

“To be honest, I feel a bit like a dog returning to eat his own vomit. None of us want to do that and I’m sick of it, really,” he said.

“If people still choose to ignore warnings … they should be prepared for a strong policing presence in the city and surrounding areas.”

There were ugly scenes as protesters and police clashed at an anti-lockdown protest at the Shrine last Saturday, September 5.

Police, who estimated that about 200 people attended, issued more than 180 fines and 17 people were arrested during the demonstration.

With Zach Hope

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2020-09-12 23:43:00Z
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