Hundreds of Americans have staged a mass protest to ‘Save Australia’ from mandatory Covid vaccines and never-ending lockdowns by marching to the consulate in New York.
Crowds filled the streets of the Big Apple on Tuesday as they marched to the Australian consulate in Manhattan, carrying Australian flags and signs that read: ‘What is happening in Melbourne?’.
The rally first began outside the Department of Education headquarters on Monday as New York’s own vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other education staff took effect.
The protesters chanted ‘Save Australia’ as they marched through the streets and gave speeches emphasising their support for Australians who have seen similar mandates enforced in recent weeks, which have sparked angry scenes in Melbourne.
‘What’s going on in Australia is not just going to be Australia. And when it shows up on our doorsteps, we’re gonna punch it right in the f***ing teeth,’ one speaker told the rally, referencing the recent vaccine mandates for authorised workers in Victoria.
The scenes come as Joe Biden’s press chief was questioned over vaccine mandates, with reference to directives in Australia causing ‘disturbing images’ at protests.
Hundreds of Americans have bizarrely staged a mass protest to ‘Save Australia’ as Covid-19 vaccination mandates are enforced on teachers in New York (pictured)
Protesters marched through the streets of New York (pictured) after a vaccine mandate was enforced for public school teachers
Many held Australian flags and declared their support for their friends Down Under, where similar vaccination mandates have been given out
‘We’re holding the line for Australia, we support Australia!’ another shouted.
One woman was seen proudly carrying a sign with the message ‘Australia is the example of the new world order. Not about a virus. Total government control.’
Others held handmade signs which stated ‘My body my choice’.
Police had to intervene after one protester reportedly flipped over a Covid-19 testing table while another tried to pull a tent down.
Meanwhile the ‘disturbing images’ coming out of Australia – where millions remain in lockdown and protesters wreaked havoc on the streets in Melbourne – were brought up at a White House press conference.
The rally first began outside the Department of Education headquarters on Monday as New York’s vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other education staff took effect
Some protesters held signs which read ‘My body my choice’ during the rally against mandatory Covid vaccinations
Protesters are seen walking through the streets of Brooklyn during a Freedom Rally in New York
A reporter asked President Joe Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki whether he would consider similar measures enforced in Australia if case numbers rose during the US winter.
‘We’re seeing very disturbing images out of Australia,’ a reporter asked her.
‘Does President Biden support what the Australian government is doing in their country? And would he consider similar measures in the United States?’
Ms Psaki danced around the question and said the US would stick to their own policies.
‘The President has been pursuing our own policies here in the United States, which has led to nearly 80 percent of the American public getting at least one shot and bringing the cases of Covid down dramatically over the past several months,’ Ms Psaki responded.
‘So, we’ll continue to abide by and conduct our own policies.’
The surprising support coming out of America wasn’t exactly well received by some Australians who bluntly said they ‘didn’t need saving’.
Police had to intervene after one protester reportedly flipped over a Covid-19 testing table while another tried to pull a tent down
Several protesters waved Australian flags as they chanted ‘Save Australia’ – in reference to lockdowns and vaccine passports
‘I bet the majority of those protesting #SaveAustralia wouldn’t even know where we are let alone how much we don’t need saving. Anyway. Cheers,’ one tweeted with a picture of a glass of red wine.
‘Save Australia from what exactly?! Medicare? Free healthcare? Gun control? No school shootings? Four week annual leave? Maternity/parental leave? Sick leave? Access to the Covid-19 vaccination?’ another said.
‘Americans shouting “save Australia” would mean something if they actually could find us on a map #SaveAustralia,’ one fired back.
‘Hey USA, we don’t need you to #SaveAustralia. Your track record for “saving” or thinking people need saving isn’t crash hot. We aren’t in any trouble, we have freedom too, it’s just that we just care more about our people surviving than money. Thanks for the thought I guess,’ one Australian woman tweeted.
But some Aussies thanked those in the US for standing up for them despite being so far away.
‘God Bless the people of New York,’ one tweeted.
‘Thank you to all the awesome New Yorkers for your support! Love from Australia!’ said another.
‘Look people on the other side of the world care more about Australia than the people who live here,’ one Aussie shared on Twitter.
The surprising support coming out of America wasn’t exactly well received by Aussies who bluntly said they ‘didn’t need saving’
One Aussie took aim at Americans following the protests in New York
One Australian woman questioned just what the American protesters were saving her from
But some Aussies thanked those in the US for standing up for them despite being so far away
The protests follow similar rallies seen in Victoria after vaccine mandates were enforced for all authorised workers in the state who must be fully vaxxed by November 25.
When the mandate was given to construction workers two weeks ago, protesters filled the streets, damaging buildings and police cars and hundreds had to be taken away in handcuffs.
The New York protest isn’t the first time Americans have criticised the government’s handling of the pandemic in Australia, with a Texan citizens’ lobbying group comparing the country to a prison.
The Texas Freedom Coalition earlier posted a meme to its Facebook page that equates Australia’s strict Covid-19 lockdown laws to a penitentiary system.
A map of Australia is pictured alongside the text: ‘What the world’s largest prison looks like from space’.
In a caption written alongside the meme the Texas Freedom Coalition wrote: ‘Pray for Australia. It’s almost unbelievable what is happening there’.
Meanwhile several news reporters have also unleashed on the harsh punishments enforced on Covid rule breakers.
Hundreds gathered outside the Australian consulate building in New York on Monday
The Texas freedom coalition shared the meme to its Facebook group comparing Australian lockdowns to prison (pictured)
Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham earlier ridiculed the drastic stay-at-home orders that have been enforced across Sydney for now four months despite a ‘0.004 case to population ratio’.
‘It’s been seven weeks of lockdown in Sydney, Australia and they’re still keeping the vice grip on the population,’ the TV host said during a news segment in August.
The news anchor held back her laughter as she poked fun at the ‘whopping’ rise in cases and mocked the state government’s reaction to keeping the city locked down.
‘The population of New South Wales: 8.2 million,’ Ingraham said.
‘Meaning a case-to-population ratio of .004 per cent. They locked down for that.’
She then turned her attention to Canberra calling the city ‘insane’ after the Australian capital announced it would enforce a seven-day lockdown.
The decision came after the city recorded its first Covid-19 case in a year.
‘The capital city has a population of 400,000. They have just entered a snap lockdown over one case. A single case,’ Ms Ingraham said before breaking into laughter.
Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham ridiculed the drastic stay-at-home orders that have been enforced across the New South Wales capital
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