Black Lives Matter protesters are expected to flood the streets of Australia’s states and territories on Saturday – despite opposition from health authorities and governments concerned about the spread of COVID-19.
In NSW, the Supreme Court has ruled a march through the streets in Sydney is unlawful. Organisers told the court it's likely more than 10,000 people will still attend but will have to protest on the footpaths if roads are not blocked, adding that would pose more of a risk of transmission.
In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has advised people to stay away, and the state’s police have warned organisers could be fined if the protest breaches coronavirus restrictions. An exemption has been granted for demonstrations in South Australia where there are no active cases. In Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, health officials say protests can go ahead but social distancing requirements must be maintained.
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Vic Police greenlight Black Lives Matter protest | Sky News AustraliaVictoria Police has given the green light to a planned protest in Melbourne to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, insisting it would cause greater upset to prohibit the event. \n\nPolice will be in attendance to ensure social distancing regulations are adhered to as the state ban on public gatherings remains at a maximum of 20 people and 15,000 people have indicated interest in the event. \n\nPremier Daniel Andrews said he would not attend the protest and suggested other people do the same to prevent a spike in the number of coronavirus infections. \n\nPrime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday that he was confident people would protest in a safe manner. \n\n“Everyone should be seeking to follow the health advice at all times but we’re a free country and there is a right to peacefully protest,” he said. \n\nImage: Getty
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Thousands to flout coronavirus rules to join Black Lives Matter protests | Sky News AustraliaState leaders and health experts are at odds as they prepare for tens of thousands of people to take part in Black Lives Matter protests across the weekend. \n\nNew South Wales Premier Gladys Berrejiklian has given the greenlight to protesters joining the Black Lives Matter movement, despite stark warnings from health officials it could facilitate a second coronavirus wave. \n\nDespite COVID-19 rules limiting public gatherings to just 10 people, tens of thousands of people are expected to flout restrictions and converge on Sydney’s CBD on Saturday. \n\nPremier Berejiklian urged protesters to maintain their distance from one another but infectious disease experts said this would likely be impossible at a rally, and therefore be “absolutely” a health risk. \n\nVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews has encouraged people to remain at home on Saturday, gaining the support of his state’s Chief Health Officer. \n\n“Now is not the time for thousands of people to gather together, putting your and others’ health at risk,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said. \n\nWhile urging people to stay home, Premier Andrews said protesters would not be fined for flouting coronavirus restrictions while at the protest as it could only “inflame” the situation.
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Berejiklian moves to ban Black Lives Matter protests | Sky News AustraliaNew South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has moved to ban Sydney's Black Lives Matter protest saying she would never 'green light' thousands of activists flouting coronavirus restrictions.\n\nMs Berejiklian said she instructed Chief Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to make a submission to the Supreme Court to place an injunction against Black Lives Matter solidarity protests scheduled to go ahead on Saturday.\n\n'The number of protesters far exceeds the health orders and we can't afford to have exceptions for anybody,' she said.\n\n'If people had been able to express their view in a COVID-safe way, that would have been acceptable but that is not the case.'\n\nThe Premier appealed to NSW residents not to compromise the health of others, urging those who 'feel strongly' about an issue to 'consider other ways' of expression.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia\n\n
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NSW Supreme Court blocks planned Black Lives Matter protest | Sky News AustraliaThe NSW Supreme Court has denied permission for a Black Lives Matter march to take place in Sydney tomorrow, deeming it illegal due to the risk the event would breach COVID-19 health orders. \n\nOn Friday afternoon NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she had instructed Chief Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to make a submission to the Supreme Court to place an injunction against Black Lives Matter solidarity protests scheduled to go ahead on Saturday.\n\nNSW Supreme Court's Justice Desmond Fagan had deemed the protest an 'unreasonable proposition' given gatherings of only 10 people or less are allowed outdoors in the state while thousands are anticipated to protests tomorrow. \n\nThe verdict was delivered just after 8pm on Friday. \n\nImage: News Corp Australia
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Sydney Black Lives Matter protest deemed unlawfulThe New South Wales supreme court has ruled a planned Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter protest in Sydney on Saturday is unlawful. 9News READ MORE:
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Sydney Black Lives Matter protest deemed unlawfulBREAKING: The Supreme Court of NSW has ruled a proposed Sydney Black Lives Matter protest planned for Saturday, to be unlawful under current COVID-19 public health orders. 9News
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