A protest march by thousands of anti-lockdown protesters in Sydney, described as a ‘rampage by ratbags’, shut down streets between Central Station and Circular Quay on Saturday.
Police Minister David Elliott said a strike force had been set up to track down more than 3500 “very selfish boofheads” who breached coronavirus restrictions by marching from Victoria Park to Town Hall.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejikleian slammed the protestors.
“I am utterly disgusted by the illegal protestors whose selfish actions have compromised the safety of all of us.
“The protestors have shown utter contempt for their fellow citizens who are currently doing it tough.
“I want to thank the brave police officers who put their own safety on the line to ensure the protest action ceased.
“This type of activity during lockdown will not be tolerated and the full force of the law will be brought against anyone who engages in this type of illegal activity.”
NSW Shadow Police Minister, Walt Secord condemned the anti-lockdown protestors saying the NSW Police had his full support.
“I hope that every single protestor’s image is captured on CCTV and the police hunt them down.
“No one should be allowed to swarm, assault, threaten or throw items at the police who are out there enforcing public health orders aimed at saving lives. Those illegal protestors deserve to feel the full brunt of the law.
“I stand with our brave police officers and they have my full support.
“This disgusting display was an attack on every single person working to save lives in the current COVID outbreak – from every single police officer to our nurses to doctors to paramedics to hospital cleaners working their guts out to protect the community.”
Police have received more than 5500 reports from members of the public as they continue to investigate the ‘anti-COVID health rules’ protest.
“A high-visibility policing operation under Strike Force Seasoned was launched on Saturday to ensure the safety of all protest participants, as well as the wider community and local businesses,” police said.
“General duties officers from across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
“During the operation, 63 people were arrested.
“Thirty-five people – aged between 18 and 69 – were charged with various offences, including assault police officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, wilfully obstruct officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
“Of these, 20 were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
“Fifteen were granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre and Newtown Local Courts at a later date.
“Additionally, strike force investigators arrested and charged two men – aged 33 and 36 – overnight. They remain before the courts.
“At least 90 Penalty Infringement Notices were also issued for breaches of the public health orders.
“Strike Force Seasoned has been established by the Central Metropolitan Region to continue to identify and prosecute protest participants.
“Over 5500 reports have been made to Crime Stoppers, and so far, investigators have identified over 200 people.
“Investigators are following up every report and issued two court attendance notice and PINS to 16 people on Sunday.
“Anyone with information or vision of yesterday’s protest activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers through the online portal or by contacting 1800 333 000.
“Every single report will be investigated.
“Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any public health order or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers.
“Information is treated in strict confidence.”
***
Two men have been charged with allegedly striking a police horse following the unauthorised protest activity in Sydney’s CBD.
Police officers were assaulted and police horses were struck and pushed by protestors.
Following the protest, Strike Force Seasoned was established by the Central Metropolitan Region to investigate people who committed offences.
As a result of inquiries, investigators from Strike Force Seasoned attended a unit on Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, about 11.20pm on Saturday and arrested a 33-year-old man.
He was taken to Kings Cross Police Station and charged with affray, join or continue in unlawful assembly, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, and not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Another man, aged 36, was arrested at a house in Kalang Road, Edensor Park.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with assault officer in execution of duty, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Both men were refused bail.
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‘Ratbags on the rampage’
Jul 27, 2021
A protest march by thousands of anti-lockdown protesters in Sydney, described as a ‘rampage by ratbags’, shut down streets between Central Station and Circular Quay on Saturday.
Police Minister David Elliott said a strike force had been set up to track down more than 3500 “very selfish boofheads” who breached coronavirus restrictions by marching from Victoria Park to Town Hall.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejikleian slammed the protestors.
“I am utterly disgusted by the illegal protestors whose selfish actions have compromised the safety of all of us.
“The protestors have shown utter contempt for their fellow citizens who are currently doing it tough.
“I want to thank the brave police officers who put their own safety on the line to ensure the protest action ceased.
“This type of activity during lockdown will not be tolerated and the full force of the law will be brought against anyone who engages in this type of illegal activity.”
NSW Shadow Police Minister, Walt Secord condemned the anti-lockdown protestors saying the NSW Police had his full support.
“I hope that every single protestor’s image is captured on CCTV and the police hunt them down.
“No one should be allowed to swarm, assault, threaten or throw items at the police who are out there enforcing public health orders aimed at saving lives. Those illegal protestors deserve to feel the full brunt of the law.
“I stand with our brave police officers and they have my full support.
“This disgusting display was an attack on every single person working to save lives in the current COVID outbreak – from every single police officer to our nurses to doctors to paramedics to hospital cleaners working their guts out to protect the community.”
Police have received more than 5500 reports from members of the public as they continue to investigate the ‘anti-COVID health rules’ protest.
“A high-visibility policing operation under Strike Force Seasoned was launched on Saturday to ensure the safety of all protest participants, as well as the wider community and local businesses,” police said.
“General duties officers from across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
“During the operation, 63 people were arrested.
“Thirty-five people – aged between 18 and 69 – were charged with various offences, including assault police officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, wilfully obstruct officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
“Of these, 20 were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
“Fifteen were granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre and Newtown Local Courts at a later date.
“Additionally, strike force investigators arrested and charged two men – aged 33 and 36 – overnight. They remain before the courts.
“At least 90 Penalty Infringement Notices were also issued for breaches of the public health orders.
“Strike Force Seasoned has been established by the Central Metropolitan Region to continue to identify and prosecute protest participants.
“Over 5500 reports have been made to Crime Stoppers, and so far, investigators have identified over 200 people.
“Investigators are following up every report and issued two court attendance notice and PINS to 16 people on Sunday.
“Anyone with information or vision of yesterday’s protest activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers through the online portal or by contacting 1800 333 000.
“Every single report will be investigated.
“Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any public health order or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers.
“Information is treated in strict confidence.”
***
Two men have been charged with allegedly striking a police horse following the unauthorised protest activity in Sydney’s CBD.
Police officers were assaulted and police horses were struck and pushed by protestors.
Following the protest, Strike Force Seasoned was established by the Central Metropolitan Region to investigate people who committed offences.
As a result of inquiries, investigators from Strike Force Seasoned attended a unit on Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, about 11.20pm on Saturday and arrested a 33-year-old man.
He was taken to Kings Cross Police Station and charged with affray, join or continue in unlawful assembly, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, and not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Another man, aged 36, was arrested at a house in Kalang Road, Edensor Park.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with assault officer in execution of duty, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, not comply with noticed direction re 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Both men were refused bail.
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