SYDNEY (AP) – More than 250 people protesting against coronavirus blockages in Australia were arrested on Saturday and many were fined for defying health orders, authorities said.
At least seven police officers were treated for injuries after skirmishes occurred at some of the protests, which took place in several cities across the country. The largest and most violent protest was in Melbourne. Many were organized by people into encrypted online chat groups.
Sydney has been closed for two months, while Melbourne and the capital, Canberra, closed earlier this month. According to the rules of closure, most people limit themselves to their home and have limits on their social interactions.
Despite these measures, the state of New South Wales in Sydney reported on Saturday a record 825 community infections daily. Several cities are battling outbreaks of the highly contagious delta variant.
Protesters say the closures should end, but authorities say they are needed to suppress the spread of the virus and save lives.
In Melbourne, a crowd of about 4,000 mostly unmasked protesters blew flares, shouted and exploded music in the central city. Victoria State Police arrested 218 people and imposed more than 200 fines, each for more than A $ 5,400 ($ 3,850).
Six Victoria State police officers were hospitalized and three people were detained for alleged assault on police. Officers used pepper spray on several people, saying in a statement that they had no choice.
In the state of New South Wales, police said they arrested 47 people and fined more than 260 in connection with protests across the state. They also issued 137 tickets after stopping about 38,000 cars approaching the city.
New South Wales state police said a 32-year-old man who had allegedly assaulted an officer and was expected to be charged has been arrested. The officer was taken to a local hospital for head and neck injuries, authorities said.
New South Wales Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said police hoped to identify more people through CCTV videos and social media.
More than 2,000 people also gathered at Brisbane City Botanic Gardens to rally against the closure and vaccination measures, though Queensland state police said they made no arrests.
“Wake up sheep,” a poster said at the Brisbane protest.