Coronavirus Australia: Melbourne’s anti-lockdown protest is most violent in 20 years

An anti-lockdown protest held in Melbourne on Saturday was one of the most violent the city has seen in 20 years, Victoria’s top police officer says.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says his officers had no choice but to use non-lethal weapons to defend themselves from an angry mob that came armed and appeared intent on attacking them.

At least nine officers ended up in hospital after being pelted with projectiles, punched and kicked by members of a 4000-strong crowd who turned out to protest the city’s COVID-19 lockdown.

The mostly unmasked protesters let off flares, yelled slogans and blasted music as they moved through the CBD.

More than 200 people were arrested including some on remand for previous crimes. At least 19 will be taken to court rather than issued with fines in excess of $5000, and two people will face assault charges.

Mr Patton said he was disgusted by the conduct of some in the crowd.

‘What we saw yesterday … was probably one of the most violent protests we’ve seen in nearly 20 years,’ he told reporters on Sunday.

He said many in the crowd came armed with projectiles that were hurled at police and it was clear they were there not to protest for personal freedom but to ‘confront and attack’.

Police formed a wall in front of the protestors – only to be overwhelmed by the mob in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday afternoon

Eight of the nine wounded officers have since left hospital but one remains for further examination. Injuries included blows to the body, cuts, bruises, suspected broken noses, one possible incident of loss of consciousness and one leg injury.

‘It appears to us that they came in with an intention of that violence,’ Mr Patton said.

‘This wasn’t a group that had a specific leader. It seemed that it was angry men … between 25 and 40, who were intent on causing this mayhem, intent on being involved in this criminal activity.

‘I just hope it doesn’t result in the mass spread of COVID-19.’

Mr Patton also revealed 48 people have been fined almost $5500 each over an illegal engagement party in Caulfield North, including the future bride and groom.

As the demonstration turned vicious, police in riot gear (pictured) were out in force across Melbourne’s CBD

A protester (pictured) reacts from pepper spray used by police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne on Saturday

That number is expected to rise, with eight other attendees yet to be interviewed. The rest of the people at that party were children.

NSW Police also arrested 47 people and fined more than 260 in relation to planned protests in Sydney – successfully smothered – on Saturday.

They issued 137 tickets after stopping around 38,000 cars approaching Sydney’s CBD, while a 32-year-old man who allegedly assaulted an officer was arrested and charges laid.

The constable was taken to hospital for head and neck injuries but will make a full recovery, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said on Sunday.

Riot police (pictured) were out in force in Melbourne’s CBD as the anti-lockdown demonstration turned ugly on Saturday

‘That officer will be back at work quickly, which is again an indication of the determination of the NSW Police to be a big part of the solution to the challenging times we have,’ Mr Worboys said.

Five people were also charged on Saturday after a small anti-lockdown protest in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border.

More than 2000 people also gathered in Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on Saturday to rally against the lockdown and vaccine measures.

On Sunday, about 1000 people also rallied in Tweed Heads against the hard NSW-Queensland border, with video footage showing police officers dragging protesters away. NSW Police is yet to comment.