{"id":241199,"date":"2021-08-22T07:15:57","date_gmt":"2021-08-22T07:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=241199"},"modified":"2021-08-23T06:56:35","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T06:56:35","slug":"australia-anti-lockdown-rallies-protesters-violently-clash-with-police-in-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=241199","title":{"rendered":"Australia anti-lockdown rallies: protesters violently clash with police in Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ben Smee and Graham Readfearn \u2013 The Guardian Aug 21, 2021<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Anti-lockdown protesters clashed violently with police as thousands of unmasked people marched through the streets of Melbourne<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Victoria police said they had made 218 arrests and that six officers were hospitalised during a series of altercations. Police said in a statement the majority of the estimated 4,000 demonstrators \u201ccame with violence in mind\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

Footage posted on social media showed protesters cheering, throwing objects at police officers and letting off flares as well as police pepper-spraying protesters.<\/p>\n

The Melbourne protests took place after Victoria\u2019s premier, Daniel Andrews, announced a lockdown in place across Melbourne would be extended across the entire state. The state recorded 77 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday.<\/p>\n

More than 700 extra Victorian police officers were deployed to contain the lockdown protest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Australian police fire rubber bullets ar protesters. Click to enlarge<\/p><\/div>\n

Police said they had, for the first time during a lockdown protest, used non-lethal tactics that included rounds of pepper spray projectiles and canisters.<\/p>\n

Two police officers suffered broken noses. One officer was hospitalised with a broken thumb and others suffered concussion.<\/p>\n

Each of the 218 protesters arrested would be fined $5,452 for breaching public health orders. Police also issued an additional 236 fines and said three people were expected to face charges for assaulting police.<\/p>\n

\u201cFurther investigations will be conducted into offences committed during the protest including the assault of numerous police officers and the use of flares.\u201d<\/p>\n

Social media videos showed hundreds were in attendance with some letting off flares.<\/p>\n

People of all ages were seen walking through the streets, shouting for \u201cfreedom\u201d while police condemned the marchers as selfish.<\/p>\n

Public gatherings were not allowed in Victoria as the state tried to contain a surge in coronavirus cases.<\/p>\n

Police on horseback lined up to block the march, which appeared to start in Russell Street and join other groups.<\/p>\n

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Thousands of protesters in Melbourne. @theage<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wgaYUyDZgW<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rachael Dexter (@rachael_dexter) August 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n