ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTESTERS CLASH WITH POLICE IN SYDNEY

Sat 24 July 2021:

Thousands of anti-lockdown protestors took to the streets of Sydney and other major Australian cities, to protest against coronavirus restrictions as infections reached a new high and authorities warned of a “rising epidemic.”

After escaping much of the early pandemic unscathed, about half of Australia’s 25 million people are now in lockdown across several cities.

There was a heavy police presence in the city, including mounted police and riot officers in response to what authorities said was unauthorised protest activity.

The unmasked participants marched from Victoria Park to Town Hall in Sydney’s central business district on Saturday, carrying placards that read “freedom” and “truth.”

The New South Wales (NSW) police said it recognised and supported the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, but the protest was a breach of public health orders.

“The priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community,” a police statement said.

The protest comes as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state hit a new high, with 163 new infections in the last 24 hours.

Greater Sydney has been locked down for the past four weeks, with residents able to leave home only with a reasonable excuse.

Stephen Jones, a member of the national parliament from Sydney, condemned the protesters as “selfish, reckless idiots”.

“We live in a democracy and normally I am certainly one who supports people’s rights to protest … but at the present time we’ve got cases going through the roof and we have people thinking that’s OK to get out there and possibly be close to each other at a demonstration,” said Brad Hazzard, state health minister.

In Adelaide, which is also under lockdown, a cars protest rally is planned, with police warning them to make arrests for unlawful actiity.

Melbourne

In Melbourne, thousands of protesters without masks turned out in the city centre, holding banners, including one that read: “This is not about a virus it’s about total government control of the people.”

There is growing anger at the restrictions – which are often only partially observed – and the conservative government’s failure to provide adequate vaccine supplies.

Just 11 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

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