Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ql9edehqboa7jbm/VRP56820.mp4?dl=0
Anti-lockdown protesters marched through the streets of Melbourne to show their anger at prolonged Covid-19 restrictions in Australia.
Footage shows thousands of demonstrators crowding the street while holding up cardboards bearing their grievances on August 21.
Jake Woodhouse, who attended the rally, said: ‘This is the situation in Melbourne in relation to the government Covid-19 policies. I joined a peaceful demonstration with thousands of others who agree that we do not consent.’
The protest later turned violent when the crowd charged at police lines and hurled objects at police officers. Authorities used pellets and pepper spray to disperse the mob.
Anti-lockdown demonstrations were also held in the cities of Brisbane and Sydney on the same day, as Australians chafe at prolonged restrictions to contain the third wave of Covid-19 infections.
A nightly curfew has been enforced in Sydney, Australia’s biggest city, since Monday (August 23). Meanwhile, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has placed the entire state of Victoria under lockdown after 17 new infections were recorded in Shepparton.
Australian premier Scott Morison has defended the stringent measures, vowing to enforce them until at least 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.
He said: ‘You can’t live with lockdowns forever and at some point, you need to make that gear change and that is done at 70 per cent.’