Arrests as thousands of anti-vaxxers swarm through capital
THREE people were arrested after about 10,000 anti-vaccine mandate protesters swarmed Canberra.
Convoy to Canberra protesters have been gathering at the nation’s capital for the past two weeks, with the main focus at Parliament House where people arrived after a march in the morning.
The crowd spread out over the grass areas between Old Parliament House and Parliament House, as well as the lawns to State Circle. One man was arrested after he breached a fence and ran onto the forecourt area, with police quickly tackling him to the ground.
Two other people were also arrested during the protest.
“One man was charged with multiple offences after he drove his truck through a roadblock and two men were taken into custody for breaching the peace,” a spokesman said.
Police estimated 10,000 protesters moved down Commonwealth Ave and congregated in the Federation Mall.
“The crowd was generally well behaved,” a spokesman said.
Some protesters held signs and flags as they marched, including one that read: “No more mandates.”
There were fears the protesters might attend a children’s “Superhero Day” vaccination event at the Australian Institute of Sport clinic, but that did not eventuate.
“ACT Policing reminds people camping at Exhibition Park in Canberra that they must leave the venue by Sunday to ensure preparations for the Royal Canberra Show can occur,” the spokesman said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was “a free country” and protesters had a right to voice their opinion, but he asked they do it in a “peaceful and respectful way”.
He pointed out Australia had the lowest Covid death rate and highest vaccination rate of almost any country in the world.