Tens of thousands of protesters have chanted and marched against vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions at "freedom'' events across Australia.
A series of “freedom rallies” planned for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart began at midday on Saturday with massive crowds taking to the streets, before dispersing about 4pm. Authorities had been concerned the situation could escalate if the two protests collided but those fears did not eventuate.
However, a significant police presence was at the scene, and the riot squad was reportedly ready to be called in if required, NCA NewsWire reported.
“Police responded to protest activity in Melbourne’s CBD… Despite significant numbers in attendance, the protest was peaceful with only one arrest made,” a Victorian police spokeswoman said.
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In Melbourne, chanting demonstrators waving Australian flags and “kill the bill” placards marched down Bourke St into the city.
Meanwhile, anti-fascist protesters converged on the Eight Hour Day Monument after demonstrators vowed to counter protest the so-called “freedom rallies”.
In Sydney, crowds gathered with Australian flags and signs at Hyde Park.
Demonstrators could be seen chanting “freedom” before joining together to sing the national anthem.
They later repeatedly chanted “sack them all”.
One protester who spoke in front of the large crowd could be heard saying they had “taken back Sydney”
Following a rendition of Waltzing Matilda, rogue MP Craig Kelly made the claim that vaccine mandates were equivalent to living in a prison camp.
“If you live in a place where you only have your freedom given to you in exchange for some type of good behaviour, you do not live in a free society. You live in a prison camp,” he told the crowd.
Organisers of the Sydney rally had claimed more than 100,000 demonstrators were in attendance.
However, NSW Police later disputed that, estimating only 10,000 attendees.
NSW Police confirmed the Sydney protest remained “peaceful”.
“Overall, the protests were conducted peacefully with minimal disruption to the community, and I’m pleased to see that the vast majority of people complied with police directions,” Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said.
“I want to thank the community who did the right thing today and acknowledge the more than 600 police officers who were deployed across the Sydney CBD and inner west for their professional response during today’s activities.”
No arrests were made, nor were any infringement notices issued throughout the Sydney rally.
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2021-11-20 15:49:00Z
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