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Inside story of why Melbourne’s tradie protests fizzled out as messages revealed

Jack PaynterNCA NewsWire
Thursday’s freedom rally in Melbourne's CBD failed to get off the ground. NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie
Camera IconThursday’s freedom rally in Melbourne's CBD failed to get off the ground. NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia

Organisers of Melbourne’s tradie protests have conceded defeat after demonstrators spent most of Friday morning squabbling with each other over where to meet up.

A fifth straight day of demonstrations was planned for Friday, after anti-vax and anti-lockdown activists, and tradies protesting the construction industry shutdown vowed to wreak havoc “every day” until their demands were met.

But a strong police presence in the city ultimately stopped protesters grouping together like they had on previous days, with the organisers conceding defeat about midday.

Messages on the encrypted messaging app Telegram showed protesters and organisers turning on each other as their illegal event failed to get off the ground for a second straight day.

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“This is what happens when a handful of people try to get some fame and run their own show,” one organiser wrote.

“3 days of walking around doesn’t change s*** people, this needs to be relentless every day until our demands are met. Sad day for Victoria.”

Protest
Camera IconA man is arrested in Treasury Gardens in Melbourne at Friday fizzer of a protest. Tony Gough Credit: News Corp Australia

The protesters couldn’t agree on a place to group up on Friday after police squandered their initial meeting spot at the intersection of Bourke and Elizabeth streets.

Some people proposed Edinburgh Gardens as another meeting spot but protesters claimed this was “fake news”.

Police arrested several people at the planned meeting spot as they picked off demonstrators by themselves and in small groups with ease.

The protesters also turned on each other the day before with multiple squabbles between demonstrators leading to Thursday’s fizzer.

Eventually one major organiser gave up, urging people to go home as there was “no point getting harassed if nothing going to eventuate”.

Organisers conceded defeat on Friday's illegal protest in Melbourne's CBD.
Camera IconOrganisers conceded defeat on Friday's illegal protest in Melbourne's CBD. Credit: Supplied

Rioters were also unable to group up on Thursday like they had over the previous three days, which led to arguments among themselves and a protest that ultimately fizzled out.

The group was first unable to agree on a location to meet up with Yarra Park, the Exhibition St vaccination hub, St Kilda Beach and Chapel St all touted as failed meeting locations.

Members of the group also began to accuse each other of being undercover cops trying to sabotage their event.

They also accused police of blocking the live streams of their protest on social media platforms.

Protesters accused each other of being undercover police.
Camera IconProtesters accused each other of being undercover police. Credit: Supplied

In a message seen by NCA NewsWire, one protester asks: “How many cops in this group chat huh?”

“Probably same amount that are in the protest causing trouble. I have picked a few out,” another protester responded.

Another demonstrator also claimed there was “some real suss blokes out yesterday”.

One person also posted a photo of a woman they believed was an undercover police officer, which prompted angry responses from several people.

“Lol f***ing idiot. Stop making s*** up, she isn’t a cop,” one said.

“Someone get rid of the spammers please. Can we keep this group protest and protest support only,” another demonstrator said.

CFMEU PROTEST
Camera IconHeavily armed police face off with protesters at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday. NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia
Protesters turned on each other on Thursday.
Camera IconProtesters turned on each other on Thursday. Credit: Supplied

A ramp up in police action also contributed to the smaller action on Thursday, with officers quashing smaller groups as they moved around the city in search of fellow protesters.

Hundreds of officers in riot gear were seen patrolling the city after Police Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters officers would be using “different tactics” to control the chaos.

More than 600 people have been arrested at the illegal protests across the city since Saturday, with at least 92 arrested on Thursday, as the demonstrators vowed to return every day until their demands are met.

Thursday’s arrests were for breaches of chief health officer’s directions and other matters, including outstanding warrants.

CFMEU PROTEST
Camera IconPolice advance on protesters to clear them from the Shrine of Remembrance. NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia

Hundreds of protesters occupied the Shrine of Remembrance for several hours on Wednesday, while on Tuesday thousands wreaked havoc on the West Gate Bridge.

On Monday, the demonstrators trashed the CFMEU office in Elizabeth St and on Saturday the marched through Richmond and Kew where they clashed with police.

Police again urged protesters thinking of coming into the city on Friday without a lawful purpose to stay home.

“Victoria Police will continue to provide a highly visible presence across the city over the coming days,” Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach said.

It comes as the Victorian health department confirmed a person who attended the rally on Wednesday in the CBD had tested positive for Covid-19 and was being treated in hospital.

“We are urging protesters to get tested should they experience Covid-like symptoms, no matter how mild,” the department said.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as Inside story of why Melbourne’s tradie protests fizzled out as messages revealed

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