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Hundreds Planning On Attending Anti-Mask And Anti-Vaxx Rally In Melbourne

Hundreds Planning On Attending Anti-Mask And Anti-Vaxx Rally In Melbourne

Organisers are also protesting against the shutdown of businesses under Stage 4 lockdown

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Around 400 people have expressed interest in attending a protest flagged for Sunday in Melbourne.

The 'Freedom Day Celebration' is scheduled to take place on the steps of state parliament, protesting against the mandatory face covering rule.

Organisers, who have alleged the coronavirus is a biochemically made weapon, will also be protesting against vaccinations and the business shutdown under Stage 4 lockdown, according to 9News.

Unsurprisingly, police have warned that a gathering of people like that, or of any kind, is against the Victorian Chief Health Officer's directions.

Anyone who is caught attending the rally will be promptly fined $1,652 and told to move on.

PA

Victoria Police said in a statement: "This selfish behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated. Be assured Victoria Police will be responding and will take appropriate action.

"There will be a highly visible presence in and around the city to ensure the community is complying with stage four restrictions.

"We will have no hesitation in issuing $1,652 fines or making arrests on the day, if necessary. Police are also making enquiries into the organisers of this event and we will be holding them to account."

Organisers should take heed of what happened in Sydney when a Black Lives Matter protest was scheduled to take place.

Thousands of people indicated they wanted to attend, however the organiser and two others were arrested and escorted from the Domain before the event could even begin.

Victoria Police have been concerned about the rise of people who appear to think the law doesn't apply to them.

PA

Melbourne is in the midst of Stage 4 lockdown due to a massive surge in coronavirus cases and authorities are restricting people's movements in a bid to prevent more infections. Residents aren't allowed to leave their home unless it's for essential services.

Furthermore, they're not permitted to exercise outdoors for more than one hour a day, and they can't travel more than 5km from their property.

But there seems to be a growing number of people who openly defy the rules for a variety of reasons.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said during a press conference: "In the last week, we've seen a trend, an emergence if you like, of groups of people, small groups, but nonetheless concerning groups, who classify themselves as sovereign citizens, whatever that might mean.

"People who don't think the law applies to them. We've seen them at checkpoints baiting police, not providing a name and address.

"On at least four occasions in the last week, we've had to smash the windows of cars and pull people out to provide details because they weren't adhering to the Chief Health Officer guidelines, they weren't providing their name and address."

With 160 infringements issued on Monday for breaking the rules related to the pandemic, a whopping 60 were handed out for people not wearing a mask.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Coronavirus, Australia