Protesters Rally in Melbourne Against Vaccine Mandates and Proposed Pandemic Laws

Large crowds of protesters gathered in Melbourne, Victoria, on the afternoon of October 30, in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the state government’s proposed pandemic laws, local media reported.

This footage, filmed by Mitch Ryan, shows demonstrators crowding outside Victoria’s state library, chanting “freedom!” in one clip, and silently listening to the Australian anthem outside the Victorian parliament in another.

According to local media the crowd were not only rallying against the state’s vaccine mandates, but also a proposed bill that would “give the Victorian premier the power to declare pandemics, and enforce public health orders”. The proposed bill passed through lower parliament on Thursday night.

Victoria Police told Storyful that one arrest was made, after an individual damaged a police car. Credit: Mitch Ryan via Storyful