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COMRADE ANDREWS LOCKDOWNS & SOCIAL DISTANCING TURNED OFF FOR PROTESTORS - Is Dan not worried about spreading COVID-19, or are the shut downs aimed specifically ruining small business?
Seriously? What a farce!

Coronavirus: Victoria Police won’t fine those who attend George Floyd solidarity protest in Melbourne

RACHEL BAXENDALE VICTORIAN POLITICAL REPORTER @rachelbaxendale

REMY VARGA REPORTER @RemyVarga - JUNE 3, 2020

Victoria Police say they will not be issuing fines for breaches of social distancing at a solidarity protest in Melbourne over the death of George Floyd in the United States, despite fearing the event will lead to the spread of coronavirus.

On Wednesday evening, more than 30,000 people had registered interest in attending the event outside state parliament on Saturday, which has been organised by the Aboriginal community in response to the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

The death of 46-year-old unarmed black man George Floyd in Minnesota last week, after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, has sparked violent protests around the world, some of which have included looting, anarchy from demonstrators and attacks on protesters and media by police.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said police were respected people’s rights to protest, but would have preferred the action be postponed until after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

He urged those planning to attend to follow public health directions on social distancing to prevent any more coronavirus infections.

“As I understand what's planned on Saturday would amount to the largest mass gathering since the Chief Health Officer's directions came into force,” Mr Cornelius said.

READ MORE:Protesters ignore city curfews|The myth of systemic US police racism
“Saturday presents as a real potential tipping point. It would be terrible to think that as a result of a large gathering, the most vulnerable people in our community … might, as a result of that gathering, be exposed to the virus.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said outgoing Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and his successor Shane Patton had told him they would not be enforcing social distancing fines at the protest because it was “not feasible” given thousands of people may attend.

“That's a decision that Victoria Police has made,” Mr Andrews said, adding that the decision had not been made by his Police Minister Lisa Neville.

Mr Andrews urged those attending to keep the peace.

“If it’s not peaceful, then it is not a protest. It is something very different, and Victoria police will not hesitate to maintain order,” Mr Andrews said.

“What we've seen happen in the United States is a tragedy, and it speaks to many of the differences between our society and the society in the United States.”

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government should ensure COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings are complied with and enforced consistently, including at the protest.

“The Liberal Nationals respect the reason and right to protest, however in the middle of a health pandemic, everyone has a responsibility to comply with health orders and do the right thing,” Mr Southwick said.

“Daniel Andrews has been very quick to tell Victorians what they can and cannot do and must now show consistency and act to ensure this event complies with CHO directions and that the health and safety of the broader community is not jeopardised.”

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April, Mr Andrews warned Victorians that if they engaged in activities such as visiting partners who lived in different households or played golf, “people will die”.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronavirus-victoria-police-wont-fine-those-who-attend-george-floyd-solidarity-protest-in-melbourne/news-story/280ab175c2788ca13fbf0983a866f4b0
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COMRADE ANDREWS LOCKDOWNS & SOCIAL DISTANCING TURNED OFF FOR PROTESTORS - Is Dan not worried about spreading COVID-19, or are the shut downs aimed specifically ruining small business?
Seriously? What a farce!

Coronavirus: Victoria Police won’t fine those who attend George Floyd solidarity protest in Melbourne

Read on...

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronavirus-victoria-police-wont-fine-those-who-attend-george-floyd-solidarity-protest-in-melbourne/news-story/280ab175c2788ca13fbf0983a866f4b0...