[ad_1]
Police kept an eagle eye on another freedom rally in Melbourne, where another is planned this weekend despite the tough lockdown being over.
Another freedom rally has been held in Melbourne despite the city’s tough lockdown being over and coronavirus restrictions largely reduced.
About half an hour before about 100 protesters descended on Fawkner Park at 2pm on Saturday, a busload of police arrived and spread out throughout the space, while other officers turned up in cars.
They stood back and watched as the protesters waved flags, gave speeches and sang songs.
The crowd then marched to St Kilda, flanked by officers on foot and in police cars, and were again observed.
There were no disturbances or arrests.
The protest again fell on the eve of another easing of restrictions across Victoria, with Premier Daniel Andrews expected to announce more rule changes on Sunday to “lock in” a COVID-safe summer.
Protest organisers are pushing for Victoria’s state of emergency to be lifted and to “prosecute Dan Andrews”.
Another rally is planned for the city at Jack Roper Reserve and eight other locations around Australia on Sunday.
Recent anti-lockdown and freedom protests in Melbourne have been marred by outbreaks of violence, hundreds of arrests and a controversial police crowd control technique called “kettling”.
Despite activities such as boot camps and organised sport being specifically mentioned with very clear guidelines in the restrictions posted to the Department of Health and Human Services website, protesting has not specifically been mentioned in the chief health officer’s directives.
[ad_2]
