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Melbourne’s lockdown deniers pelt police with fruit at ‘surprise’ protest

Police gang tackle a demonstrator amid wild scenes at the Victoria Market.

Police gang tackle a demonstrator amid wild scenes at the Victoria Market. Photo: AAP/Eric Anderson

Anti-lockdown protesters have massed in Melbourne for a second day, with some throwing fruit at police after raiding market stalls.

About 150 protesters chanting “Freedom” and “Power to the people” were outnumbered by officers at Queen Victoria Market on Sunday.

Footage of violent scuffles as officers in riot gear pushed through the crowd in between tables of produce was posted online.

“There were a few tense moments when protesters started grabbing fruit and throwing it at police,” an AAP photographer said from the scene.

Other videos showed police on horseback attempting to break up another group.

Protesters yelled “This is not a police state” and “You’ve got to be on the right side of history”.

“There was also a bit of aggression toward the media calling us ‘scum’,” the AAP photographer said.

Some protesters marched away from the market and through city streets.

The photographer estimated that officers had arrested dozens of protesters.
Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

The rally follows ones on Saturday when about 100 people demonstrated against strict Melbourne coronavirus restrictions across various locations.

Police on Saturday arrested 14 people and fined at least 50 for breaching health directions.

A male officer can be heard asking for the woman’s name and address before she again refused to get out of the car

The footage then shows the officer leaning into the vehicle as the woman protests, before she is forcibly removed.

Victoria on Sunday reported 41 new cases and seven further deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 723.

Facebook posts say protesters plan to gather every Saturday until restrictions are eased.

The second day of protests comes hours after a woman shared footage of police dragging her from a car.

The masked driver refused to get out of her car after talking with an officer about a phone charger at Wallan, about 60km north of the city.

A male officer can be heard asking for the woman’s name and address before she again refused to get out of the car

The footage then shows the officer leaning into the vehicle as the woman protests, before she is forcibly removed.

The woman is expected to be charged with various offences including assaulting police.

Victoria on Sunday reported 41 new cases and seven further deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 723.

Facebook posts say protesters plan to gather every Saturday until restrictions are eased.

-AAP

 

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