Anti-lockdown protesters clash with police in Melbourne – officers use pepper spray
Wild scenes in Melbourne as anti-lockdown protesters in balaclavas and face coverings clash with police and attack horses with metal poles in dramatic suburban stand off
- Anti-lockdown protests have broken out in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon with hundreds attending
- Police clashed with protesters and punches reportedly thrown at officers who deployed pepper spray
- Melbourne has endured months of strict lockdowns as COVID-19 case numbers brought under control
A police horse has been attacked with a pole and punches thrown at officers who have retaliated with pepper spray in wild anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne.
Major scuffles erupted as police met the front-line of protesters who had gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.
About 200 to 300 Melburnians bearing ant-lockdown signs and chanting slogans turned out at the city’s sacred war memorial in opposition to ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the city.
The chaotic scenes are in stark contrast to what would usually be seen in the Victorian capital leading into a AFL grand final weekend.
A police horse has been attacked with a pole and punches thrown at officers who have retaliated with pepper spray in wild anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne (pictured)
Protesters who turned out in their hundreds in the Melbourne CBD on Thursday afternoon were met by police (pictured)
Plastic bottles were reportedly hurled at officers on Thursday afternoon, with an AAP photographer at the scene confirming police have used pepper spray against the protesters.
A number of people have been arrested with one man being filmed yelling at officers: ‘What are you holding me for? What is the problem with you?’
Protesters were seen holding the Australian and American and Eureka flags and bearing placards which read ‘Free Vic’ and ‘Corona hoax 1984’.
The protest got underway about 2pm and is the latest in a string of protests against Premier Daniel Andrews’ tough measures to control COVID-19 infections throughout the last few months.
Protesters face two separate fines if they attend an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne’s CBD.
Police officers on horseback were at the event with one police horse reportedly being attacked with a pole by a protester
A woman with a megaphone can be seen scuffling with officers as police attempt to control the crowd (pictured)
Melbourne has endured months of strict Stage Four lockdowns to battles coronavirus with restrictions expected to be slightly eased on Sunday
Just one year ago, on the Friday before the 2019 final players from the Richmond Tigers and Greater Western Sydney took part in the annual parade through the streets of Melbourne.
Fans gathered along the city’s streets as the teams meandered along Spring Street and Wellington Parade to Yarra Park where they took the stage in front of an excited crowd.
Manager of the London Tavern Hotel, Gina Cimarosti, would normally be hosting swarms of thirsty football fans at her corner pub ahead of Australia’s biggest weekend of sport but the beer taps are dry.
The hulking Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Grand Final’s traditional venue, gathers cobwebs a short walk from Cimarosti’s pub.
‘The Grand Final is usually the biggest day of our year,’ Cimarosti told Reuters in an empty room at the London Tavern.
‘It’s hard not to lose a bit of faith … But we’re just trying to look forward.’
Tigers superstar Dustin Martin rides with the daughter of Richmond captain Trent Cotchin in the 2019 AFL Grand Final parade
Thousands of fans flooded into Melbourne’s CBD on Friday for the annual Grand Final parade in 2019 in stark contrast to this year’s lead-up to the game on Saturday
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius has warned that protesters could also fall foul of legislation governing behaviour at the Shrine.
Mr Cornelius said the RSL and the Shrine have made it clear that any protest on the site is disrespectful to the memory of people who have served their country.
He said the Shrine legislation covered behaviour and how people are dressed, adding that anyone who refuses to obey police could be fined around $300.
Plastic bottles were reportedly hurled at officers, with an AAP photographer at the scene confirming police have used pepper spray against the protesters
While lockdown rules have been eased this week, Melburnians can still travel no more than 25km from their homes and are not permitted to have visitors to their home unless for caregiving reasons.
They also can be fined if they gather in groups of more than 10 from more than two households, and must wear masks as well as social distance.
There were scuffles and several arrests last month as police broke up a protest at the Shrine.
A website for the Friday protest tells participants: ‘Daniel Andrews must resign and lockdowns must end. Restore our freedoms now.’
The protests turned violent with reports of punches being traded between protesters and police officers on Thursday (pictured)
About 200 to 300 Melburnians bearing ant-lockdown signs and chanting slogans turned out at the city’s sacred war memorial in opposition to ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the city
Protesters are seen linking arms as they march through Melbourne’s CBD, a placard reading ‘Corona Hoax 1984’ can be seen in the crowd (pictured)
Police met protesters out in force on Thursday afternoon in Melbourne’s CBD (pictured) with pepper spray being deployed
