Thousands of people are holding “freedom rallies” in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane today.
Counter rallies are also being held by pro-vaccination protesters. There is a strong Greek-Australian presence in both rallies held in melbourne with some protesters holding Greek and Cypriot flags.
There was also a large police presence monitoring two separate crowds in Melbourne’s CBD.
Protesters had been camped outside Victoria’s Parliament House throughout the week calling for the scrapping of the state government’s controversial pandemic bill.
Today thousands more have joined and have begun marching through the city.
Meanwhile, another group of protesters, who have labelled themselves anti-fascist, gathered for a rally at the Eight Hour Day Monument in Russell Street.
They are members of The Campaign Against Racism and Fascism group and participate in a counter protest against what they call anti-vaxxers, the far-right and fascism in Melbourne.
The Campaign Against Racism & Fascism group is planning rallies in all capital cities to protest against “the far-right, anti-vaxxers, and anti-lockdowners.
Thousands of anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination protesters have also gathered in Sydney’s Hyde Park and marched through the streets of the CBD.
Crowds carried Australian flags, Eureka flags and the Red Ensign and sung the national anthem while a bagpipe group performed.
Some people brought babies to the demonstration to protest against vaccinating children.
Also about 2,000 people have gathered in Adelaide’s Rundle Park as part of the protests.
NSW and Victoria record drop in COVID-19 cases
Victoria recorded a slight drop in cases with 1166 new COVID-19 infections reported in the past 24 hours.
Five people died with the virus.
There are currently 9581 active cases in the state.
New South Wales has recorded a drop in COVID-19 cases today, reporting only 182 new infections in the past 24 hours.
No deaths were reported overnight.
The drop in cases comes as the state recorded 216 infections yesterday.