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Dozens arrested at Melbourne anti-lockdown protest

28 Comments
By William WEST

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Quite shocking to see how quickly Australia (or at least the Victoria government, dont know about the others) is willing to switch to fascist methods. I hope they have an election soon and get rid of this this wannabe dictator.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

The images out of Melbourne showing police harassing families in their homes for Facebook posts, pensioners in parks, and asking for ID papers like the Stasi is shocking.

Its no surprise to learn Dan Andrews is such a fan of the Chinese government. It is surprising that so many Aussies have laid down and allowed their human rights to be trampled on.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Not a shock to see on the news here that more than a few of these covidiots were wearing Trump t-shirts. I'm afraid with these lunatic conspiracy nuts, Melbourne is likely to have a 3rd wave once the lockdowns come off in a couple of weeks.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

I couldn't imagine living in such a totalitarian state. These protesters are exercising supposed "freedom of speech" which apparently isn't a protected right.

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

Not a shock to see on the news here that more than a few of these covidiots were wearing Trump t-shirts. I'm afraid with these lunatic conspiracy nuts, Melbourne is likely to have a 3rd wave once the lockdowns come off in a couple of weeks.

Absolutely. I suggest locking down until nobody ever dies again. Only then can we be sure...

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

When people will finally realise that none of the lockdowns, masks, social distancing and job loss were necessary, politicians like Dan Andrews will have to run for their lives.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

There are covidiots on both sides of this one, but I lean toward the protestors. The fascists are just creating martyrs now and that will lead to more and more risky non-compliance.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Well done locking up the few people who put others lives in danger. The fines they face will do a little to help fight this pandemic. Most people understand the need but there will always be a few that lack common intelligence and prefer to ignore the facts to complain about temporary restrictions.

They will cause a third wave with their actions and then they will blame others for the results of their actions.

Nobody has the right to do normal things when those things put others lives at risk. A simple enough proposition but the selfish will always object to anything that they think restricts their own freedom. Dont worry about other citizens right to life, just to your right to ignore a pandemic.

I no longer care about the deniers and their"put out" attitude. OHH its facist to save lives and its a police state to protect the population from small numbers of dangerous deniers who ignore the science of spreading a pandemic. Lets just risk it, risk the lives of those children with cancer and diabetes who could die and all the elderly who are vulnerable. They think their temporary freedom is worth more than all those lives. Shame on you all.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Protest is illegal?

About 250 people attended the illegal protest

3 ( +7 / -4 )

These protesters are exercising supposed "freedom of speech" which apparently isn't a protected right.

They decided to hold their protest in a public market. I find that hard to believe.

In addition to "freedom of speech", another basic right is protecting one's own life. I can imagine the reaction of those that are fearful of the virus to a bunch of maskless protestors coming close to them.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Somewhere, somehow, Australia has gone off the rails. Regardless of these outrageous draconian measures, there will be a third wave. Sweden has had it right all along. Hutterite colonies in Canada and the US that practice a communal lifestyle have had COVID sweep through their communities and now have herd immunity. There is a lot to be learned there about keeping vulnerable people isolated and letting everyone else go about their business. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to force young healthy people into being in prison in their homes.

Also, it is not March any more; clinicians have learned a heck of a lot about treating COVID and they are dropping death rates around the world.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Regardless of these outrageous draconian measures, there will be a third wave. Sweden has had it right all along

and the head of their pandemic response is now admitting it was the wrong course,

the science also shows its wrong

Sweden currently 9th highest deaths per capita in the world at 573/million just behind the US 584/million. Australia at about 32/million yeah Sweden is not a model worth admiring. Meanwhile countries that have treated this pandemic correctly Singapore NZ Japan have around 5~11 / million

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Protest is illegal?

No Victoria is the only state currently under lock down, no gathering of over 2 people is illegal while the lock down is in effect.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@wtfjapan

Sweden has now achieved herd immunity. Positive tests are at the lowest level since the pandemic started while other European countries that tried the lock down are off to the races again. In the end death rates from COVID will equalize and Sweden will not have suffered through the huge increases in overdose and suicide deaths as other countries and will not have destroyed the livelihoods of a large swath of citizens.

The increase, increase in overdose deaths in the province of B.C. in Canada far outweigh the number of COVID deaths. There are now over 5 deaths a day in B.C. from drugs. I guess giving people free money was not such a great idea after all.

You are right in saying Japan has done a lot better than Australia and done it without draconian police tactics.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

From an earlier news article

Event organiser charged with incitement

The man accused of planning the 'Freedom Walk' in Melbourne is now free on bail.

Tony Pecora pledged to attend an anti-lockdown protest after being charged with two counts of incitement.

Mr Pecora has claimed COVID-19 is "genetically engineered by world banks to kill off weak humans" and allegedly told police if protesters contracted the virus at his event, "it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees".

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I can’t believe there are so many posts supporting the protests, damning the government and denying the lockdown is necessary. Perhaps those naive radicals’ opinions would be different if they or one of their family members were in hospital on a respirator fighting for their life with Covid-19.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Free thinkers being harassed by big government.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Fears of hospitals being overrun and people dying in the street have not come to pass.

The measures in Australia do not call for people to be imprisoned at home nor arrested for protest.

The fact is that deaths in Australia are extremely low vis a vis infections, the same is evident in much of the world.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

and all the liberals here are ok with this? even if there is a BLM event?

No Victoria is the only state currently under lock down, no gathering of over 2 people is illegal while the lock down is in effect.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

One thing to remember here is that the land Down Under is approaching springtime and warmer weather. One can only wonder if during the next few months the Aussies act as moronic as Americans have. Then again, Australia doesn't have a Donald Trump as a PM, does it?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

and all the liberals here are ok with this? even if there is a BLM event?

not a liberal, get this other states in Australia are almost back to normal, as long as they wear a mask and social distance, still no large crowds yet. Its Victoria which is in knockdown again because people wont follow the science, they somehow think their rights are more important to public safety. People are forced to wear seat belts because its scientifically proven to reduce rd deaths, same thing goes with covid19

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Protest is illegal?

It is now, so is being naked in the privacy of your own bedroom without armed police checking your boyfriend is not with you.

Good to read news that Heroes still exist. Freedom!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The fact is that deaths in Australia are extremely low vis a vis infections, the same is evident in much of the world.

dah because of social distancing and wearing mask, all countries that have followed the science have done well in this pandemic, those countries that havent are suffering the worse.

Russia, UK, USA, Belgium, Brazil are all suffering the worst, have a guess why that is

1 ( +1 / -0 )

oh and if your attending a BLM festival..

Sydney had the largest BLM protests and theyr still doing well

0 ( +0 / -0 )

wtfjapan

oh and if your attending a BLM festival..

Sydney had the largest BLM protests and theyr still doing well

Must be because the virus runs away when BLM tuirns up. Smart virus!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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