Coronavirus Australia: Officer splattered with ink by protestors later shakes hands with the crowd

A police officer who was splattered in ink by anti-lockdown protesters in Sydney has won the respect of the crowd by shaking hands with demonstrators.  

Thousands of protesters swarmed the streets in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Saturday to protest against the economic and social effects of Australia’s continual lockdowns.

During the chaos, which saw 3,500 attendees march from Victoria Park to Town Hall in Sydney’s CBD, one protester threw dark ink over a police officer. 

The ink-stained officer was later captured approaching a barricade and shaking protestor’s hands as others in the crowd thank the policeman for his courage 

The officer’s colleagues were photographed helping wipe the thick ink from his skin and uniform, as frenzied activists continued to chant anti-vax slogans. 

The ink-stained officer was later seen approaching a barricade and shaking protesters’ hands as others in the crowd thanked him for showing them respect. 

‘Why can’t you be like him?’ one woman in the background is heard asking the officer’s colleagues.

‘Too scared, too scared,’ she adds. 

A person who uploaded the video online added: ‘It seems like this policeman actually likes the freedom marchers. After all, the police did sign up to protect the citizens from criminals, not to enforce martial law.’

Less impressed was the anonymous writer of a viral Facebook post denouncing the protesters for attacking police and their horses, while expecting the police and government to help them during other times.

The man's colleagues were pictured helping wipe the thick ink from the officer's skin and uniform, as frenzied activists continued to chant anti-vax slogans

The man’s colleagues were pictured helping wipe the thick ink from the officer’s skin and uniform, as frenzied activists continued to chant anti-vax slogans

Meanwhile, a viral Facebook post has sent a stark warning to protestors of the consequential price of their newfound 'freedom'

 Meanwhile, a viral Facebook post has sent a stark warning to protestors of the consequential price of their newfound ‘freedom’

Next to an image of the ink-stained policeman, the post asks anyone who attended the protests not to call the officer if they’re in trouble. 

‘If you’re in a domestic dispute, don’t call this guy. If someone steals from you, don’t call this guy. If your child goes missing, don’t call this guy,’ the post reads. 

‘If you’re in a bad accident and you weren’t at fault… don’t call this guy. If you are home invaded, don’t call this guy.’

The author argued that because attendees marched for freedom, they should then live completely free of assistance from the state or federal governments. 

‘Whilst you’re there, cut up your Medicare card… don’t ever go to the doctors or hospital for anything… don’t claim money from the government or use any governed services from today onwards,’ the post reads. 

‘You can all work cash in hand now, no Medicare, no MyGov, no nothing WHAT SO EVER.’

The author asked that those who attended the march make sure they don’t receive subsidised medication or health assistance. 

‘You all made a choice against not only the government but the majority of the people trying to do the right thing. Enjoy your freedom,’ they said. 

The author of the viral post argued that because attendees marched for freedom, they should live completely free of assistance from the state or federal government

The author of the viral post argued that because attendees marched for freedom, they should live completely free of assistance from the state or federal government

In total, 57 demonstrators were charged during the event, but detectives are working round the clock to identify those who opted against wearing face masks in defiance of health orders

In total, 57 demonstrators were charged during the event, but detectives are working round the clock to identify those who opted against wearing face masks in defiance of health orders

There are major concerns that Saturday’s protests will prove to have been a super spreading event, and authorities are calling on the estimated 3,500 people who attended in Sydney to get a Covid test for the sake of the community. 

‘I’m appealing to all 3,500 people to get tested tomorrow, if not for themselves for the sake of their family and friends,’ NSW Police Minister David Elliott said.

In total, 57 demonstrators were charged during the event, but detectives are working round the clock to identify those who opted against wearing face masks in direct defiance of public health orders.  

Around 510 infringement notices were handed out on Saturday, with the majority of these fines distributed at the protests. 

At one point during the chaos, protesters were filmed crash tackling a policeman into a garden bed in front of Town Hall station as officers tried to make an arrest.

Other attendees hurled flower pots at mounted officers, with one man going as far as to allegedly punch a troop horse. 

Around 510 infringement notices were handed out on Saturday, with the majority of these fines distributed at the protests

Around 510 infringement notices were handed out on Saturday, with the majority of these fines distributed at the protests

On Sunday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it had 'broke her heart' to see images of the ugly scenes in Sydney's CBD

On Sunday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it had ‘broke her heart’ to see images of the ugly scenes in Sydney’s CBD

At least five officers were seen struggling to take down a single protester, before carrying him away in handcuffs as crowds of demonstrators hurled abuse at police. 

Mr Elliott labelled those at the rallies as ‘boofheads’ and said 90 had been fined across the state with more arrests expected. 

‘What we saw today was 3,500 very selfish boofheads — people that thought the law didn’t apply to them,’ he said on Saturday.

‘If we don’t see a [Covid] spike in the areas these protesters came from in the next week I’ll be very, very surprised,’ Mr Elliott said.

‘It was just a whole lot of halfwits. There is no doubt in my mind that at least one individual there today had Covid, it is statistically impossible for us not to consider that.’

On Sunday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it had ‘broke her heart’ to see images of the ugly scenes in Sydney’s CBD. 

‘Millions of people across our state are doing the right thing and it broke my heart that people had such a disregard for their community. I’m disgusted,’ she said. 

‘Thank you for the people doing the right thing and for those that aren’t.. you should be ashamed of yourselves.’

The Premier reminded the state that majority of Sydneysiders were doing the right thing, citing more than 102,000 tests in the last 24 hours alone.

Ms Berejiklian reminded the state that majority of Sydneysiders were doing the right thing, citing more than 102,000 tests in the last 24 hours alone

Ms Berejiklian reminded the state that majority of Sydneysiders were doing the right thing, citing more than 102,000 tests in the last 24 hours alone

NSW recorded 141 new local cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, down from 163 on Saturday, with 38 cases infectious while in the community

NSW recorded 141 new local cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, down from 163 on Saturday, with 38 cases infectious while in the community

The state recorded 141 new local cases of Covid-19, down from 163 on Saturday, with 38 cases infectious while in the community. 

A Sydney woman in her late 30s who had no pre-existing health conditions died of Covid overnight, as well as a woman from southwest Sydney in her 70s.  

There are currently 141 patients with Covid in Sydney hospitals. Of these, 43 are in intensive care with 42 of them unvaccinated. One has received just their first jab.

One patient in hospital is in their teens, while there are seven people in their 20s, and three in their 30s. There are 32 patients aged between 50 and 79 in hospital.

The state’s current outbreak has now skyrocketed to 2,083 cases since June 16.

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