Police arrest 47 as anti-lockdown rally fails to attract large crowds | fergushunter
Almost 50 people were arrested in tense scenes in central Sydney on Saturday as police responded with force to an anti-lockdown protest that failed to match the scale of last month’s large rally.
Officers issued 261 fines for public health order breaches during the operation and arrested 47 people who are expected to face charges. Police said 38,000 cars were stopped and checked for compliance with restrictions across 14 traffic points, with 137 breaches identified. Meanwhile, a man was charged after he allegedly intimidated NSW Police Minister David Elliott in Sydney’s north-west on Friday. In a statement, police said Mr Elliott was walking on Old Northern Road in Baulkham Hills about 3pm on Friday when he was approached by a man he did not know.
The protest failed to attract the crowds seen in a coordinated event in Melbourne or at a previous protest in Sydney’s CBD.Protesters in the city on Saturday were heard echoing debunked views about immunisation and pseudo-legal arguments against the state government’s public health orders. “I would die before I’d take it,” one attendee was overheard saying of COVID-19 vaccines.
The event failed to reach the scale of the CBD protest in late July, where many of the thousands of attendees appeared to be more mainstream members of society objecting to strict public health orders, especially in south-west Sydney.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Live: NSW Police blocks transport into Sydney CBD to avoid repeat of lockdown protestsDue to concerns about the potential for more protests in Sydney, NSW Police ban all taxi, rideshare and passenger services from entering the CBD. Follow live.
Read more »
‘Ridiculous’: Police warn protesters ahead of anti-lockdown rally in MelbourneThere will be a highly visible police presence on the ground in Melbourne on Saturday, with thousands of protestors expected to take to the city’s streets to rally against lockdowns.
Read more »
Police arrest demonstrators as Melbourne anti-lockdown protest turns violentHundreds of protesters gathered to march in the city's CBD where they were confronted by police on horseback.
Read more »
Police overwhelm modest Sydney anti-lockdown protestSeveral arrests are made after police officers outnumber protesters at an unauthorised anti-lockdown demonstration in central Sydney.
Read more »
‘Riot squads, helicopters, checkpoints: Police move to crush Sydney anti-lockdown protestMultiple people have been arrested at Sydney's freedom protest after NSW Police launched a major operation replete with helicopters, traffic checkpoints and riot squads to prevent a repeat performance of the July 24 anti-lockdown antics.
Read more »
Sydney protests disbanded as police gain upper handPolice have managed to get the upper hand against thousands of protesters in Sydney&x27;s CBD, after creating a ring of steel around the outskirts of the city.
Read more »