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VIRUS-POLICE-HEALTH
Dozens arrested in ‘Freedom Day’ Aussie lockdown protests
MELBOURNE, Sept 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Over a dozen anti-lockdown protesters were
arrested Saturday in Melbourne, as those deliberately flouting stay-at-home
orders clashed with Australian police.
Ignoring official warnings and public health orders, several hundred people
gathered at an illegal protest — promoted by several virus related conspiracy
theory groups online — calling for an end to lockdown measures.
A huge police presence responded, arresting 17 as the crowd chanted “freedom”
and “scam” towards lines of officers who repeatedly attempted to move people on.
Two protesters were seen raising their arms in a Nazi salute at officers and
yelling “Heil Dan”, comparing the state of Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews to
Adolf Hitler, while standing on the forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance — a
war memorial which partly commemorates Australians killed fighting in World War
II.
Demonstrators moved to a nearby park before being surrounded by police and
eventually dispersing.
Officers said they issued 160 fines for breaching health orders and were
expecting to hand out more in coming days.
Several attendees told AFP they were protesting the government’s response to
the pandemic, which has killed more than 865,000 people around the world,
labelling it overblown or an outright “scam”.
“We are in a city where the cure from Daniel Andrews is actually worse than
what’s happening,” protester Fiona Kat said.
The “Freedom Day” events were largely promoted by several loosely-connected
groups online that espouse anti-vaccination and virus related conspiracy
theories.
Rallies were also held around the country, with 14 people arrested at protests
in Sydney and Byron Bay.
Despite Victoria’s second wave, Australia has dealt relatively well with the
virus allowing the rest of the country to roll back restrictions.
The nation has recorded over 26,200 cases and 748 deaths in a population of 25
million.
Before the protest, Victorian premier Andrews told people to stay home and
warned the gathering could jeopardise a path out of lockdown, which is expected
to be outlined on Sunday.
“It is not safe, it is not smart, it is not lawful,” he told media.
“In fact, it is absolutely selfish.”
BSS/AFP/AU/16:15 hrs