Wild scenes in Melbourne as anti-lockdown protesters in balaclavas and face coverings clash with police and attack a horse with metal poles in dramatic suburban stand-off
A police horse has been attacked with a pole and punches were thrown at officers who retaliated with pepper spray during a wild anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne.
The 'Freedom Day' rally which began at the Shrine of Remembrance at 2pm Friday spread across the city centre, resulting in aggressive scuffles between police and demonstrators for more than three hours.
About 200 to 300 Melburnians turned out for the rally and walked through the streets chanting 'freedom' and calling for Premier Daniel Andrews to be sacked. Many refused to wear face masks.
A total of sixteen people were arrested and 61 protesters were fined.
Three police officers were injured during the skirmishes, with one taken to hospital as a precaution.
'Victoria Police will not accept the selfish behaviour of those who continue to breach the CHO (chief health officer) directions,' a police spokeswoman said.
The chaotic scenes were very different to what would usually be seen in the Victorian capital leading into an AFL Grand Final weekend.
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A unmasked protester picks up what appears to be an orange flare at the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne on Friday. The 'Freedom Day' rally began at the Shrine of Remembrance at 2pm Friday and spread across the city centre, resulting in aggressive scuffles between police and demonstrators for more than three hours
The tattooed protester grips a skateboard as he holds an orange flare while photographers take pictures. The chaotic scenes were very different to what would usually be seen in the Victorian capital leading into an AFL Grand Final weekend
Protesters and police face off at an an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne on Friday. Police have used pepper spray amid scuffles with demonstrators, which turned violent at several points
A police officer attempts to tackle a balaclava-wearing protester. A police horse was attacked with a pole and punches were thrown at officers during a wild anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne
A female protester speaks to police. Protesters who turned out in their hundreds in the Melbourne CBD on Friday afternoon were met by police
A woman chants in front of members of Victoria Police, who formed a wall in front of activists. A woman behind her can be seen wearing a T-shirt that read 'Let Victoria Work'
A woman is detained by members of Victoria Police. Protesters are calling for an end to lockdown restrictions in Victoria following a decline in new coronavirus cases reported in the state
'Ludicrous': A pregnant woman shows off her homemade anti-lockdown sign at Friday's protest. The protest featured an eclectic mix of Melburnians, including Donald Trump supporters and anti-maskers
A demonstrator holds a sign which reads 'I should be at a barbeque' during Friday's freedom protest
Plastic bottles were reportedly hurled at officers on Friday afternoon, with an AAP photographer at the scene confirming police have used pepper spray against the protesters.
A number of people have been arrested with one man being filmed yelling at officers: 'What are you holding me for? What is the problem with you?'
Protesters were seen holding the Australian and American and Eureka flags and bearing placards which read 'Free Vic' and 'Corona hoax 1984'.
One man was holding a sign reading: 'I should be at a barbecue'.
The protest is the latest in a string of protests against Premier Daniel Andrews' tough measures to control COVID-19 infections throughout the last few months.
Protesters face two separate fines if they attend an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne's CBD.
Angry: One woman shouts at officers as other protesters yelled slogans during an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne
Dangerous: Protesters cross tram tacks during Friday's anti-lockdown protest. It his highly advised people do not cross tram tracks in Melbourne as trams can weigh as much as 30 rhinos
A male protester falls on the ground amid an encounter with Victoria Police. The protest is the latest in a string of protests against Premier Daniel Andrews' tough measures to control COVID-19 infections throughout the last few months
A protester smiles as he is arrested by police at the anti-lockdown protest. Protesters face two separate fines if they attend an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne's CBD.
Police officers on horseback were at the event with one police horse reportedly being attacked with a pole by a protester
A woman with a megaphone can be seen scuffling with officers as police attempt to control the crowd
A woman wears headphones with her back to police at the lockdown protest. It is unclear why she was doing this
A woman in a 'Donald Trump 2020' mask is seen at the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne amid the presidential election in the US
A woman armed with a microphone and a bluetooth speaker waves the US, UK and Australian flags as protesters gather around to listen what another speaker has to say
A man who was pepper sprayed by police officers clutches a rag to wipe his face. Photographers confirmed protesters were in fact sprayed by police officers. Victoria Police would not comment on whether pepper spray was used
Just one year ago, on the Friday before the 2019 final players from the Richmond Tigers and Greater Western Sydney took part in the annual parade through the streets of Melbourne.
Fans gathered along the city's streets as the teams meandered along Spring Street and Wellington Parade to Yarra Park where they took the stage in front of an excited crowd.
Manager of the London Tavern Hotel, Gina Cimarosti, would normally be hosting swarms of thirsty football fans at her corner pub ahead of Australia's biggest weekend of sport but the beer taps are dry.
The hulking Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Grand Final's traditional venue, gathers cobwebs a short walk from Cimarosti's pub.
'The Grand Final is usually the biggest day of our year,' Cimarosti told Reuters in an empty room at the London Tavern.
'It's hard not to lose a bit of faith ... But we're just trying to look forward.'
A man holding an AFL ball stands next to police officers in the lead up to Saturday's Grand Final. Melbourne has endured months of strict Stage Four lockdowns to battles coronavirus with restrictions expected to be slightly eased on Sunday
Tigers superstar Dustin Martin rides with the daughter of Richmond captain Trent Cotchin in the 2019 AFL Grand Final parade
Thousands of fans flooded into Melbourne's CBD on Friday for the annual Grand Final parade in 2019 in stark contrast to this year's lead-up to the game on Saturday
Unmasked protesters and masked police clash at the anti-lockdown protest. Another person with a sign that says 'cancel the fines' can be seen in the background
Police arrest a speaker during the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne. Another man with a megaphone can be seen walking away from the scuffle and continuing to chant
A man shouts and waves his hand at police officers as a fellow protester holds him back. Many of the protesters were not wearing masks despite fines for those who refuse to comply
A young girl feeds a police horse an apple amid the chaos of the protest as her mother take a photo. One horse was reportedly hit by a pole during the protest
Police guide the mother and daughter away from the protest after the young child fed a horse an apple
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius has warned that protesters could also fall foul of legislation governing behaviour at the Shrine.
Mr Cornelius said the RSL have made it clear that any protest on the site is disrespectful to the memory of people who have served their country.
He said the Shrine legislation covered behaviour and how people are dressed, adding that anyone who refuses to obey police could be fined around $300.
Plastic bottles were reportedly hurled at officers, with an AAP photographer at the scene confirming police have used pepper spray against the protesters
A man wearing a 'Free Victoria' face mask stares down a wall of police officers. Signs in the background call for Victoria to reopen for business and work
Many scuffles between police and anti-lockdown protesters broke out. Here an officer and a man in a black balaclava have a physical confrontation
Protesters and Victoria Police officers clash on October 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Protesters are calling on the end to lockdown restrictions in Victoria following a decline in new coronavirus cases reported in the state
Another woman wearing service badges is detained by Victoria Police. Victoria Police made a number of arrests but could not yet reveal the exact number as the protest is ongoing
While lockdown rules have been eased this week, Melburnians can still travel no more than 25km from their homes and are not permitted to have visitors to their home unless for caregiving reasons.
They also can be fined if they gather in groups of more than 10 from more than two households, and must wear masks as well as social distance.
Police are arresting scores of anti-lockdown protesters, many of whom are maskless, as a tense demonstration in Melbourne stretches into its fourth hour.
Earlier, protesters damaged a police car, stole a policeman's hat and let off a flare, the photographer said.
A separate group of protesters on St Kilda Road near the Arts Centre have been filmed by Nine News whacking police horses on the head with their flags.
The protests turned violent with reports of punches being traded between protesters and police officers on Friday
About 200 to 300 Melburnians bearing anti-lockdown signs and chanting slogans turned out at the city's sacred war memorial in opposition to ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the city
Protesters are seen linking arms as they march through Melbourne's CBD, a placard reading 'Corona Hoax 1984' can be seen in the crowd
TV journalists have tweeted they have been harassed and yelled at by angry protesters as they attempted to speak on camera.
Some people are wearing t-shirts with the slogan 'Let Victoria work', in reference to the shutdowns which remain in force across most industries.
Many are holding placards with slogans such as 'Media is the virus', 'COVID-19 is a scam' and 'Wake up Aussies'.
There were scuffles and several arrests last month as police broke up a protest at the Shrine.
A website for the Friday protest tells participants: 'Daniel Andrews must resign and lockdowns must end. Restore our freedoms now.'
Police met protesters out in force on Friday afternoon in Melbourne's CBD with pepper spray being deployed
Protesters confront a line of mounted police and their horses
A dog is seen among protesters marching from Melbourne's war memorial
Mr Andrews urged people on Friday morning not to use the Shrine as a site of protest.
'Protests don't work against this virus and potentially put at risk all the good work we are doing,' he said.
Opposition leader Michael O'Brien, who is an advocate for easing of restrictions faster than the Victorian government has allowed, urged protesters not to break public health rules.
And he said the Shrine was not the place to protest because it was a place of 'reverence' and 'sacrifice'
MELBOURNE'S ROADMAP OUT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN - WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHEN:
Step one: Came into effect on September 14
Step two: Came into effect on September 28
Step three: When there is a daily statewide average of five new cases over the past 14 days. The original aim was for October 26, brought forward to October 19 after the 14-day average of new cases fell below initial expectations, but again put on hold after new case numbers plateaued.
This has now been revamped to be a series of 'mini-steps' and more gradual easings as the numbers proved difficult to shift.
Step four: The move to step four will come when there have been no new COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on November 23
COVID Normal: After 28 days of no new COVID-19 cases, things will return to normal.
FREEDOMS YOU GET AT EACH STEP OF EASING
Step one - came into effect September 14
- Curfew has been eased to 9pm-5am
- People can still only leave home for the four reasons (shopping, exercise, work and care or medical attention)
- Public gatherings increased to two people, or a household, for a maximum of two hours
- Singles can have one nominated person to their home as part of the 'singles social bubble'
- Childcare and early educators to remain closed
- Schools will continue to learn remotely unless they have exemptions
- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, unless they have exemption
- Only go to work if you are in a permitted industry
- Cafes and restaurants will continue with take away only
- Retail businesses will remain open for essential shopping, with others only operating with click and collect
- Only one person per household can do the essential shopping
Step two - came into effect September 28
- Melbourne's curfew lifted
- Public gatherings increase again to five people from a maximum of two households
- Childcare and early educators can re-open
- Schools to continue with remote learning, but Prep to Grade Two and Year 11 and Year 12 students will gradually return to class in Term 4
- There will be an increase to permitted workplaces
Step three - originally expected October 26, brought forward to October 19
- There are no restrictions on leaving home
- Public gatherings increase to 10 people together outdoors
- A 'household bubble' will be introduced, so five people from one house can visit another
- Remote learning to continue, but Grades 3 to Year 11 can gradually return to class
- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, but hands on classes will see a phased return to onsite
- Work from home is encouraged
- Up to 10 people can eat together at restaurants and cafes, with the majority of tables outdoor
- Retail shops to reopen, with hairdresses operating under safety measures but beauty stores to remain closed
- Real estate agents can conduct private inspections by appointment
- The one person per household limit on shopping is to be revoked
Step four - expected in November, dependent on new case numbers:
- Public gatherings to increase to 50 people outdoors
- Up to 20 visitors can attend a home at any one time
- All adult education will return to onsite with safety measures in place
- Groups limited to 20 indoors and a maximum of 50 patrons per venue
- All retail stores to reopen, while real estate agents can operate with safety measures and by keeping a record of attendants
Step five - COVID normal:
- Public gatherings have no restriction
- There will also be no restriction on visitors to homes
- Phased return to onsite work for work from home workers
- Schools to reopen as normal
- Restrictions on hospitality removed, but venues to continue keeping records