They thought “Freedom Day” meant freedom.
In actual fact, “Freedom Day” means “democracy.”
It’s a very important distinction.
RT:
Dozens of arrests have been reported amid a heated anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne, Australia, where hundreds gathered to demand an end to Covid-19 measures, meeting a heavy police presence and at times clashing with officers.
A sizable crowd descended on Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on Saturday morning for the ‘Freedom Day’ rally, calling on state authorities to rescind Victoria’s stage-four coronavirus restrictions, which include a nightly curfew.
“Scam, scam, scam” @9NewsAUS @9NewsMelb @ACurrentAffair9 pic.twitter.com/MRbjQojgFv
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) September 5, 2020
Chants of “scam!” erupted from the crowd at certain points, apparently led by an elderly man, who was also heard saying: “I can’t believe this is my country! This is my Australia. I was born and bred here – for 82 years!”
Massive scuffle has just broken out. Things are getting ugly @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/VX1jD2Kr6e
— Aneeka Simonis (@AneekaSimonis) September 5, 2020
A local reporter on the scene reported at least 20 arrests that she’d witnessed first-hand, sharing footage of black-clad officers as they clashed with demonstrators.
BREAKING: Protesters have begun clashing with police @9NewsAUS @9NewsMelb @ACurrentAffair9 pic.twitter.com/ixDOP4HCNu
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) September 5, 2020
Starting their rally at the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial for veterans of World War I in central Melbourne, the protesters were soon pushed away by riot police, who were seen gathered in large numbers around the area.
Public order police pushing protestors back @9NewsAUS @9NewsMelb @ACurrentAffair9 pic.twitter.com/HDi3d6VOz3
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) September 5, 2020
@VictoriaPolice not messing around today pic.twitter.com/dL8zBsXAIc
— Rebecca Maddern (@RebeccaMaddern9) September 5, 2020
Some of the demonstrators have since abandoned the shrine and were seen flocking to another location, according to a local reporter, though their destination was unclear.
They’re on the move. Unsure to where. Crowd size continuing to grow. @9NewsAUS @9NewsMelb @ACurrentAffair9 pic.twitter.com/o3WUz4AMfc
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) September 5, 2020
A number of arrests were made prior to the rally, with authorities serving warrants to those promoting the prohibited event on social media, including a pregnant woman, who likened her encounter with officers to a “kidnapping.”
Police also reportedly stopped motorists approaching the area around the shrine on Saturday, checking IDs and detaining some individuals, apparently in hopes of preventing a larger gathering.
Anti-lockdown have now taken over Albert Park lake. Can’t see any police yet @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/EgeBgWzS8y
— Aneeka Simonis (@AneekaSimonis) September 5, 2020
During a press briefing ahead of the protest, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews also warned that the demonstration could result in a longer lockdown for the state, calling it “not safe,” “not smart,” and “not the law.”
A Melbourne protester has just jumped into Albert Park Lake…
He’s yelling “Freedom. Freedom.”
Police watch on. @10NewsFirst pic.twitter.com/fmYRXTEyME— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) September 5, 2020
“In fact, it is absolutely selfish for people to be out there protesting. The only protest we should be engaged in, the only argument, the only fight we should be engaged in as against this virus,” he said.
Remember: Australia is the testing ground.
All of this completely Orwellian lunacy is coming to the rest of the formerly white and formerly Western world.
If we reelect Trump, it might delay it some.