‘Ridiculous’: Police warn protesters ahead of anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne

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Police have warned people attending an anti-lockdown march in Melbourne on Saturday that they will take strong action to deter breaches of lockdown restrictions. Thousands were expected to join the protest, which organisers said would begin at 12pm in the CBD.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Saturday morning that police had already handed out fines to people planning to join an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, with 700 officers deployed to enforce COVID-19 restrictions at the rally.

Protestors will descend on Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday to demonstrate against lockdowns. Credit:Cassandra Morgan

Mr Patton said six infringement notices had already been issued to protestors in the city who were outside their 5km area.

“Please do not attend this demonstration, the risk of spread of the virus is significant,” he said. “My officers will do everything they can to hold those people to account.”

“No one should be protesting at this time, significant fines. Every protester who we can identify and who we can apprehend will receive a $5500 fine. It’s just ridiculous to think that people would be so selfish and come and do this.”

It comes about a month after thousands of men, women and even some children flooded the CBD for a three-hour, mask-free rally that ended in six arrests and 74 infringement notices.

Authorities have warned people against joining this weekend’s protest after Victoria recorded 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, with more restrictions on movement and gatherings expected to be announced.

Premier Daniel Andrews also took aim at the protesters on Saturday morning.

“If I can just simply add 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.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said those who chose to blatantly disregard the Chief Health Officer’s directions could expect to be held accountable.

“There will be a highly visible police presence in the Melbourne CBD, on the roads and across the public transport network on Saturday,” they said.

Under current restrictions, there are only five reasons to leave home in metropolitan Melbourne. Travels also not permitted more than 5km from home, unless the travel is for an allowed reason. Fines of up to $5,452 can be handed out to those who gather for the protest.

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