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Police shut down public transport in Melbourne CBD to prevent anti-lockdown rally

Melissa IariaNCA NewsWire
Anti-lockdown protesters clash with the police in the Melbourne CBD. Police have shut down public transport to the CBD on Saturday to prevent another similar planned rally. Jason Edwards
Camera IconAnti-lockdown protesters clash with the police in the Melbourne CBD. Police have shut down public transport to the CBD on Saturday to prevent another similar planned rally. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

Melbourne’s CBD will be locked down and public transport halted in a bid to prevent Saturday’s planned anti-lockdown rally, which authorities have deemed a potential “superspreader” event.

The public transport network to the city will be temporarily suspended between 8am and 2pm on Saturday, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton announced on Wednesday.

Buses will bypass the city and trams and trains will stop short of the CBD, with police on hand to ensure people are following public health directions and not planning to enter town.

“Anyone who’s planning to come in, it is an illegal gathering and we’ll be doing everything we can to prevent that gathering,” Mr Patton said.

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“And if people do get to make it into the CBD for that gathering, we’ll be enforcing that.

‘We’ll be doing everything we can to prevent access to the city.”

Police Presser
Camera IconChief Commissioner Shane Patton warned on Wednesday protesters would be held to account. NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia

Those entering the city risk $5500 fines while $1800 fines also apply for people outside their 5km zone.

Mr Patton said authorities “didn’t take this decision lightly” given the significant inconvenience to the public.

The planned protest has been billed by organisers as a “worldwide rally for freedom” and will take place in cities across the country.

A similar protest drawing more than 4000 people in the Melbourne CBD on August 21 was marred with violence as police and demonstrators clashed.

Nine police officers were hospitalised due to injuries, with the force’s top brass branding it one of the most violent demonstrations in 20 years.

Specialist police donned in full riot gear and holding ballistic shields were forced to fire pepper ball rounds on demonstrators as they charged officers and breached the police line.

Protests in CBD
Camera IconPolice say they are prepared to deal with those planning to attend the rally. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

“We saw a convergence of people who were placing others at risk of potentially contracting the coronavirus,” Mr Patton said.

“With the new Delta strain, the risk is exacerbated significantly. We can’t allow that to occur again.

“It’s really interesting that this whole cohort of people who are about freedom don’t seem to respect the freedoms of others. And anyone coming in here places those freedoms at risk.”

Protests in CBD
Camera IconPolice and protesters clash at a previous anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

Barricades, traffic police and roving patrols will guard the CBD as significant police numbers are brought in to deal with law-breakers and violence.

The chief commissioner particularly urged against families and children attending.

“Do you really want to place your child, your family at risk in case a small group of people come in and ... they’re intent on violence like they were last time?” he said.

“I’d urge everyone not to come in but this is certainly not a place for families, for children.”

Originally published as Police shut down public transport in Melbourne CBD to prevent anti-lockdown rally

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