Australia's Prime Minister has warned people against going to any Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests planned across the country.
There are several demonstrations organised in several major and minor cities over the coming days to stand in solidarity with the rallies that have erupted in America as well as highlight the struggles faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Thousands have clicked 'Attending' on various Facebook event pages, causing some concern about the large gathering of people.
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Scott Morrison told a press conference: "Don't go.
"The health advice is very clear, that it's not a good idea to go.
"Let's find a better way and another way to express these sentiments, rather than putting your own health at risk, the health of others at risk, the great gains we have been able to make as a country in recent months, and let's not forget the terrible economic consequences of that as well, let's not put that at risk, let's exercise our liberties responsibly."
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With social distancing restrictions only just easing in states and territories around Australia, authorities are concerned that mass protests will put people in danger of contracting Covid-19.
The New South Wales Police force is attempting to take the organisers of a BLM protest in Sydney to the Supreme Court to stop it from going ahead. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that her government would never approve a gathering of that many people who would be 'disregarding the health orders'.
She added: "This is because the protesters could not guarantee adherence to the health orders.
"They could not guarantee safe social distancing and simply the number of protesters far exceeds the health orders and we can't afford to have exceptions for anybody.
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"So, the process that is intended or was intended to go on tomorrow will be sought to have an injunction put on against in the Supreme Court - or the application has been made and the Police Commissioner will outline that in further detail."
That was backed up by the New South Wales Police Minister David Elliott, who said it would be 'insane' if hundreds or thousands of people met.
"Anybody who goes to a mass gathering during a pandemic is certifiably insane, they are nuts," Elliott asserted, before inferring that if he had the power to outlaw political protest", he said.
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision in the afternoon about whether the protest can go ahead.
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South Australian police will allow the rally planned for Adelaide to go ahead, admitting that it's a 'unique and extraordinary event'.
Featured Image Credit: Laura Irvine/Facebook