Protesters slammed for Shrine disrespect
HUNDREDS of angry tradies and anti-lockdown activists have been roundly condemned after swarming Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
Chanting “lest we forget”, the largely maskless mob marched to the sacred memorial on Wednesday afternoon as heavily armed riot police surrounded them in a stand-off.
Rowdy protesters shouted “we want freedom” and spilt on to the steps of the landmark, singing the national anthem.
Some also yelled at police to “stand with us” while others waved Australian flags and signs saying “end lockdown now” and “Dan-made disaster”.
The crowd began dispersing about 5pm after police, who were armed with rubber bullets, sounded a warning to the mob.
Federal Nationals MP Darren Chester urged the demonstrators to “show some respect”.
“Please show some respect for the fallen and their families, and just go home,” he said.
“There’s no possible justification for protesters gathering
on this sacred site which honours all Australians who’ve served in war and peace. Lest we forget.”
Police have begun an operation to track down the rioters responsible for the chaos across the streets of Melbourne in recent days.
A team of police and analysts are sifting through extensive files in an effort to identify the thugs who held the CBD, Shrine of Remembrance and West Gate Bridge to ransom during rolling protests staged since Monday.
The city’s CCTV network will be one of the most crucial tools enabling police to hunt
down individual members of the rebellion group, made up mostly of men.
Surveillance cameras located across the CBD are fitted with high-level zoom capabilities which will help form a database of people facing potential charges.
Earlier, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews issued a stern warning to protesters after violent scenes erupted in Melbourne, before explaining why the construction industry was shut down.
Construction was halted for two weeks on Monday, which has added fuel to the fire for many tradies who rallied
again on Tuesday. Mr Andrews said there were more Covid-19 cases in the construction industry than there were in aged care, and it would be unsafe to have the sector open.
The trades union boss John Setka condemned Tuesday’s violence
“Let me tell you people who were involved in the violent protest, they may as well go pick fruit in Mildura,” he told the ABC.
“We don’t need drunken morons who think by throwing bottles at people is a good way to protest. They can go pick fruit.”