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Massive Protest Erupted In Melbourne After Sixth Lockdown Announced

Massive Protest Erupted In Melbourne After Sixth Lockdown Announced

Many yelled 'sack Dan Andrews' and 'no more lockdowns' while others held signs and waved flags.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Hundreds of people took the streets last night in Melbourne after the Premier announced the city would go into its sixth lockdown.

Following a Covid-19 outbreak, Daniel Andrews said residents will have to endure another snap seven-day stay-at-home order.

Clearly furious with yet another lockdown after just a few coronavirus cases, hundreds marched along Lonsdale Street and onto Swanston Street in the CBD to show their discontent.

Many yelled 'sack Dan Andrews' and 'no more lockdowns' while others held signs and waved flags.

A bystander told news.com.au: "Now, there's heaps of sirens and helicopters, felt like a weird doomsday movie. Because the vibe was kind of one of camaraderie in Melbourne and then it kind of turned weird."

Another told the Herald Sun: "We can't keep going through this, we are losing our livelihoods."

Footage of the protest has been posted on social media, showing flares were set off and there was at least one instance of police using capsicum spray to dispel protestors.

At least 15 people were arrested and a further 16 were fined.

Authorities are investigating an incident where a police officer was allegedly pushed to the ground and kicked and a police vehicle was damaged.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said: "Four of the offenders who were arrested or fined are known to police as protest organisers. They have been dealt with previously and it is expected will be presented to court on appropriate charges, such as incitement.

"Police will continue to review video footage to identify as many protesters as we can, in order to hold offenders to account, as has been the case for previous protests.

"Police are, together with the vast majority of Victorians who are doing the right thing, outraged that a small minority of people continue to engage in deliberate breaches of the CHO Directions, putting the lives and jobs of their fellow Victorians, as well as their police at risk."

The lockdown, which will last at least seven days, kicked into gear at 8pm and residents now only have five reasons to leave their homes.

People can step outside for exercise, shopping for essentials, authorised work or education, providing care for medical or compassionate reasons, or to get vaccinated or tested for Covid-19.

Premier Andrews admitted a lockdown wasn't what he wanted but it's what the city needs.

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am to have to be here doing this again," he said.

"But with so few in the community with one vaccination, let alone two, I have no choice but to accept advice, and we collectively [have] to make this important decision to keep Victorians safe.

"The alternative is we let this run ... away from us and our hospitals will be absolutely overwhelmed [with] not hundreds of patients but thousands."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia