![]() Those initiatives were noticed by anti-lockdown movements, with calls going out on their own channels to “go and report” people for gathering such evidence. “Over 5500 reports have been made to Crime Stoppers and so far, investigators have identified over 200 people,” NSW Police said in a statement.Ībout 40 people have already been charged with serious offences, including two men who allegedly assaulted police horses, and more than 90 COVID fines handed out.īeyond the official police investigation, numerous unofficial efforts to identify protesters or gather footage were organised by ordinary citizens on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys asked anyone with footage of the protest to report to CrimeStoppers, so that police could track rule breakers or those involved in violent affray. Organisers claimed attendance was closer to 30,000 in Sydney and 8000 in Melbourne. ![]() Official estimates put the number of attendees in Sydney about 3000, but video footage showing crowds filling the area outside the CBD’s Town Hall suggested there were many more. The events, organised in Australia via Facebook and Telegram, were the local arms of a so-called “Worldwide Rally for Freedom”, with dozens of co-ordinated events happening globally on Saturday. Attendees drew from a wide range of loosely-aligned cohorts that have coalesced under a broad umbrella of opposition to lockdowns, including anti-vaxxer groups, COVID sceptics, conspiracy theorists, QAnon supporters, wellness and fitness groups, libertarian groups and multicultural backgrounds, as well as far-right extremists. There were large demonstrations nationwide at the weekend, including thousands congregating in Sydney, Melbourne and regional areas in between.Īlthough some branded it a “far-right” rally, the reality is more nuanced. “People understand there are frustrations with lockdowns, but that type of behaviour doesn’t help anybody.” Police grapple with anti-lockdown protesters in Sydney on Saturday. “It offended many, many fellow Sydneysiders,” the PM said in Canberra on Sunday.
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