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| Australia Covid live news update: Melbourne protesters block West Gate Freeway; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases, one death | Australia Covid live news update: Melbourne protesters block West Gate Freeway; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases, one death |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow today’s news | Follow today’s news |
| This is a shocking video, but I am not sure of the context or the timing, but as a reflection on the protest, pretty terrifying: | |
| The Community and Public Sector Union has called for the “insanity to end” in a statement condemning the “violent behaviour from some extremists” at the protests today and yesterday. | |
| In a statement, the CPSU says efforts to vaccinate construction workers are being “undermined” by the actions of the protesters: | |
| So, CFMEU boss Dave Noonan is in a bit of a back and forth with the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas about the makeup of today’s protest. | So, CFMEU boss Dave Noonan is in a bit of a back and forth with the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas about the makeup of today’s protest. |
| Noonan is insistent that these protests are an attempt to “co-opt” the union, that a majority of the attendees are “anti-vaccination extremists” and “far right and neo-Nazi groups”. | Noonan is insistent that these protests are an attempt to “co-opt” the union, that a majority of the attendees are “anti-vaccination extremists” and “far right and neo-Nazi groups”. |
| But Karvelas pushed Noonan on that point, saying there were reports that “at least half” of the protesters are “genuinely” construction workers and tradies. | But Karvelas pushed Noonan on that point, saying there were reports that “at least half” of the protesters are “genuinely” construction workers and tradies. |
| Noonan was dismissive: | Noonan was dismissive: |
| When asked how he can tell who is and isn’t a “genuine” tradie, Noonan scoffs and points to his 30 years in the construction industry: | When asked how he can tell who is and isn’t a “genuine” tradie, Noonan scoffs and points to his 30 years in the construction industry: |
| Protesters are walking in the direction of oncoming traffic to evade a line of riot police waiting for them as they return from the West Gate freeway. | Protesters are walking in the direction of oncoming traffic to evade a line of riot police waiting for them as they return from the West Gate freeway. |
| They are continuing to yell obscenities about Dan Andrews. | They are continuing to yell obscenities about Dan Andrews. |
| The police have begun firing rubber bullets at the crowd. | The police have begun firing rubber bullets at the crowd. |
| Riot squad police are awaiting protesters as they make their way back down the West Gate freeway. | Riot squad police are awaiting protesters as they make their way back down the West Gate freeway. |
| Just building on Caitlin’s post about protesters singing Daryl Braithwaite’s classic song, Horses, you can see the rendition for yourself here: | Just building on Caitlin’s post about protesters singing Daryl Braithwaite’s classic song, Horses, you can see the rendition for yourself here: |
| Sally McManus, national secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has released a video on Twitter saying the group “will not be intimidated” and that Australian Unions have been aware of far-right groups “targeting” unions: | Sally McManus, national secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has released a video on Twitter saying the group “will not be intimidated” and that Australian Unions have been aware of far-right groups “targeting” unions: |
| McManus goes on to say these “extremist groups” are working to “get unions on their side.” | McManus goes on to say these “extremist groups” are working to “get unions on their side.” |
| Protesters have stopped to gather on the West Gate for a dance party of sorts. | Protesters have stopped to gather on the West Gate for a dance party of sorts. |
| They are now alternating between singing along to The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army and chanting “every day”. | They are now alternating between singing along to The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army and chanting “every day”. |
| Lots of clapping and whistles. | Lots of clapping and whistles. |
| Protesters have broken into impromptu song on the West Gate after someone began playing Daryl Braithwaite’s Horses on loudspeaker. Someone has also let off a flare. | Protesters have broken into impromptu song on the West Gate after someone began playing Daryl Braithwaite’s Horses on loudspeaker. Someone has also let off a flare. |
| Good afternoon, and a quick thanks to Ben Doherty and Matilda Boseley for holding down the fort this morning. | Good afternoon, and a quick thanks to Ben Doherty and Matilda Boseley for holding down the fort this morning. |
| Mostafa Rachwani with you this afternoon and heading into the evening, I’ll be keeping an eye on where those Melbourne protestors end up, as they navigate their way through the city’s highways. | Mostafa Rachwani with you this afternoon and heading into the evening, I’ll be keeping an eye on where those Melbourne protestors end up, as they navigate their way through the city’s highways. |
| I’m handing over now to my estimable colleague Mostafa Rachwani, who will guide you through this afternoon. | I’m handing over now to my estimable colleague Mostafa Rachwani, who will guide you through this afternoon. |
| All eyes are on the Melbourne protesters, and just how far they are going to walk, before they suddenly realise they left their cars back in the city. | All eyes are on the Melbourne protesters, and just how far they are going to walk, before they suddenly realise they left their cars back in the city. |
| Victoria Police have confirmed the West Gate freeway is blocked in both directions near Montague Street due to protestors marching on the freeway: | Victoria Police have confirmed the West Gate freeway is blocked in both directions near Montague Street due to protestors marching on the freeway: |
| Protestors are continuing to chant “fuck the jab” as they march. | Protestors are continuing to chant “fuck the jab” as they march. |