https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavir ... 010316c0d3
A number of dramatic arrests have occurred at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance,
where an anti-lockdown protest is set to take place today.
A woman has been taken to Melbourne West police station, while a maskless man – who repeatedly called police “Nazi dogs” – was arrested at the Shrine, which has been saturated with police this morning.
Other footage showed police putting a mask on a man before arresting him.
Authorities have threatened to throw the book at anyone who attempts to gather for the “Freedom Rally”, warning of hefty fines and arrests.
“Our aim is to prevent you from coming into the city,” Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said, having previously called conspiracy theorists “batshit crazy” and the “tinfoil hat brigade”.
“We will be out there in the suburbs. We will be on the road, on public transport. You can expect the police will want to speak to you, want you to explain your permitted reason for leaving (to go to) the city.”
The Premier has slammed anti-lockdown demonstrators intending to protest across Melbourne today, calling their behaviour “absolutely selfish”, as Victoria recorded 76 new coronavirus infections and 11 deaths overnight.
“It is not safe, it is not smart, it is not law. In fact, it is absolutely selfish for people to be out there protesting,” Daniel Andrews told reporters.
“The only protest we should be engaged in, the only argument, the only fight we should be engaged in is against this virus.
“Let’s not any of us do anything that might jeopardise this strategy stopping, let’s not any of us do anything that might see more coronavirus cases rather than less. That is just not worth it.”
