Anti-Vaccine Mandate Protesters March Through Melbourne Amid Djokovic Controversy

Crowds marched through the streets of Melbourne, to protest vaccine-mandates after tennis star Novak Djokovic had his Australian visa canceled over his COVID-19 vaccination status.

The world No 1 men’s tennis player had been due to play in the Australian Open. However, the Australian Border Force said Djokovic failed to provide “appropriate evidence to meet entry requirements,” adding that “non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia.”

This footage, filmed by Najma Sambul, a freelance journalist based in Melbourne, shows crowds marching through the city, before some protesters arrived outside the hotel where Djokovic was being held. Sambul said one clip she filmed shows anti-vaccine protesters arguing with refugee advocates outside the Park Hotel in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton.

Refugee advocates hoped Djokovic’s profile would bring attention to the detention of 32 refugees at the facility, and lead to their release. Credit: Najma Sambul via Storyful