Several arrested as thousands protest against lockdown in Sydney

Gulf Today Report

Thousands of people took to the streets of Sydney and other Australian cities on Saturday, with several arrested in Sydney after violent clashes with police.

The unmasked participants marched from Sydney’s Victoria Park to Town Hall in the central business district, carrying signs calling for "freedom” and "the truth."

A group charged mounted officers while throwing pot plants and bottles, as opponents of Sydney's month-long stay-at-home orders took to the streets.

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There was a heavy police presence in Sydney, including mounted police and riot officers in response to what authorities said was unauthorized protest activity. Police confirmed a number of arrests had been made after objects were thrown at officers.

A protester (centre) is arrested by police during an anti-lockdown demonstration in Sydney, on Saturday. AP

In Melbourne, local media said thousands of protesters had thronged the streets after gathering outside the state parliament in the early afternoon.

Maskless demonstrators flouted rules on non-essential travel and public gatherings a day after authorities suggested restrictions could remain in place until October.

The protest comes as COVID-19 case numbers in the state reached another record with 163 new infections in the last 24 hours.

"We live in a democracy and normally I am certainly one who supports people’s rights to protest ... but at the present time we’ve got cases going through the roof and we have people thinking that’s OK to get out there and possibly be close to each other at a demonstration," said state Health Minister Brad Hazzard.