A massive operation is underway to crush an anti-lockdown protest after last weekend‘s violence, with a partial shutdown of the city executed.
Australians watched in horror last Saturday as thousands of “freedom” demonstrators descended on the nation’s capitals, marking, in the words of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, “a death sentence” to their family members if it were to happen again.
“Forget about the rest of us, but you could be taking the disease home and passing it on to your parents, your siblings, your brothers and sisters or anybody you might have limited contact with,” Ms Berejiklian said yesterday.
“Do not give those you love the most a death sentence.”
Anyone considering attending in Sydney today have been told that doing so will land them “right in the hands of police”, as more than 1000 officers descend on the area and a command centre is established in Hyde Park.
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In “one final message” to any protesters intending to head to the CBD today, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon had four blunt words: “Do not do it.”
“Our policing operation has been in place since early this morning with up to 1000 police officers including a range of specialist officers including a range of specialist resources on the ground already so don’t go into the city to protest,” he told reporters.
Rideshares, taxis prohibited from heading to CBD
Taxi, rideshare and passenger services have been prohibited by NSW Police from conveying passengers to Sydney’s CBD between 9am and 3pm today.
The notice was issued to seven transport providers in response to planned unlawful protest activity, “at risk of seriously comprising the public’s safety”, authorities said in a statement this morning.
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Uber alerted customers that trips to the city would be unavailable for the six-hour period, saying the measure will “likely cause significant disruption and we advise you to consider alternatives for any essential travel to and from these areas during this period”.
In a statement to news.com.au, a spokeswoman for the ridesharing service said that “the safety of those who use the Uber platform is a key priority for us, and we have a dedicated team working around the clock to support the very best we can”.
“We will continue to work with authorities in each state to do what we can to help limit the spread of Covid-19,” she added.
Companies who fail to comply will face a maximum penalty of $500,000, while individuals face fines of up to $100,000.
“Existing public health order fines include [an] infringement of up to $1000,” NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters.
“As the [Health] Minister said, if you engage in illegal activity you may be charged with criminal offences as well.”
“A pandemic is not the time to protest and this prohibition notice is just one of the tools police have implemented today to ensure the safety of the community,” Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said in a statement.
“These restrictions have been put in place to stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect those most vulnerable in our communities from harm.
“Essential workers, or anyone that requires medical treatment, will be able to make their way to their destinations.”
‘Significant’ traffic operation underway
Meanwhile a “significant” traffic operation is underway in a bid to thwart any repeat of last weekend’s behaviour.
Hundreds of officers are stopping vehicles at various points, closing off streets and maintaining a heavy presence at train stations.
Lane closures are in place in both directions at the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, city-bound on Parramatta Road in Annandale, Southern Cross Drive at Zetland, Victoria Road at Rozelle, the Pacific Highway and Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon, the City West Link at Lilyfield, Enmore Road at Enmore, Oxford St at Paddington, and the Princes Highway at St Peters.
The boundaries of the exclusion zone are:
- Western boundary: West Link Road and The Crescent at Lilyfield
- Southern boundary: South Dowling Street and Todman Avenue at Zetland
- Northern boundary: Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point
- Eastern boundary: New South Head Road and Ocean Avenue at Edgecliff
‘We don’t apologise for today’s operation’
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon told reporters that NSW Police “don’t apologise for today’s operation”.
“We have made it very, very clear that people should not go into the city and engage in activity like we saw last week,” he added.
“In terms of the scale, it is a large operation. We are well-versed in that, we have been doing that for some time. It is important to remember the police have been engaging in delivering operations for the past 18 months under covert conditions as well because it is significant.
“If we don’t see [the] scenes that we saw last week, that is a great outcome for us. Those resources can be used elsewhere.”
A group of officers are waiting in Victoria Park, where many arrests were made last weekend. So far, more than 200 people have been fined and more than 60 locked up after the protest.
At last 22 detectives have been dedicated to Strike Force Seasoned – with the aim of identifying and prosecuting any demonstrators – with Deputy Commissioner Lanyon saying they will continue to do so “for as long as required to identify and prosecute all those who broke the law”.
“I also want to thank the majority of the community who continue to work with police and abide by the public health orders,” he said.
“They are in place for a reason and police will continue to enforce them – our officers will not tolerate those who think the law does not apply to them.”
‘It’s a trap’: Protesters warned
At least three anti-lockdown groups have taken to Telegram to warn protesters that no official events have been planned for today, strongly advising against anyone heading to any meeting.
One of the organisers said no known organiser groups were operating any protest events.
“We strongly advise against attending any protest events that claim to be operating,” the group said.
“Any planned event lacks an established ground team, and has been given insufficient promotional time and effort.
“Events claimed to be operated were fabricated from crudely edited versions of the poster used for the World Wide Rally for Freedom in Sydney, without the permission of the event’s organisers.
“Please standby for future events … that are operated by established organising teams.”
Another group told its followers the protest was “apparently a police trap”.
“No protest today! It’s a trap. Don’t go,” they said.
– with NCA NewsWire
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2021-07-31 02:05:32Z
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