Anti-lockdown protest turns violent in Melbourne as demonstrators also march in Sydney and Brisbane
There have been arrests of anti-lockdown protesters at a large demonstration that turned violent in Melbourne, while similar events have also taken place in Sydney and Brisbane.
Some 700 police officers were deployed in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday morning as anti-lockdown protesters converged outside Parliament House.
Pictures taken outside Flinders Street Station showed police facing off with protesters and pepper spraying them.
Footage posted on social media also showed people cheering and letting off flares.
Victoria Police said a number of arrests have been made.
People are letting off flares now on Lonsdale Street in the CBD for the anti-lockdown protest, choppers are overhead. @theage pic.twitter.com/xbkNbeuPIS
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Saturday morning police were fining people for being more than 5km from home even before the protest began.
He said those protesting risked being issued with a hefty fine.
"Please do not attend this demonstration, the risk of spread of the virus is significant," he said. "Every protester who we can identify and who we can apprehend will receive a $5,500 fine. It's just ridiculous to think that people would be so selfish and come and do this."
Victoria recorded 61 new locally acquired virus cases on Saturday, including 39 that were infectious in the community. Authorities have only been able to link 48 of the cases to known outbreaks.
Premier Daniel Andrews condemned the protesters on Saturday.
“Protesting doesn’t work against this virus. In fact, it will contribute to the spread of this virus, and the more cases we have the longer we’ll be locked down,†he said.
Protesters are seen during an anti-lockdown protest in the central business district of Melbourne, Saturday, August 21, 2021
AAP
In Sydney, the presence of at least 1,500 police officers has prevented the large numbers planned for another anti-lockdown protest.
Scuffles broke out as protesters were arrested at Sydney's Victoria Park, just out of the CBD in Camperdown,
A police helicopter and mounted police were also used to prevent protesters coming together inside Victoria Park.
Video footage taken near Victoria Park shows two men being arrested.
Taxis and Ubers have been banned from taking passengers into the CBD until 3pm.
It comes as Sydney recorded the country's highest-ever daily COVID-19 tally: 825 infections.
On Friday, an alleged organiser of the Sydney protest this weekend was sentenced to at least three months' jail for failing to comply with NSW public health orders.
Queensland-based Victorian Anthony Khallouf, 29, pleaded guilty on Friday to breaching public health orders by driving to Sydney last weekend.
He was sentenced by magistrate Robyn Denes to a non-parole period of three months' imprisonment, with an aggregate term of eight months.
Protesters gather for a 'National Rally for Peace, Freedom and Human Rights' at the Botanic Gardens in Brisbane, on 21 August 2021.
AAP
Hundreds of people also gathered in Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on Saturday to rally against lockdown and vaccine measures.
"Wake up sheeple," one sign read.
With AAP.