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Freedom Rally: Protesters return to Elizabeth Quay as jab mandate enforced

Daryna ZadvirnaThe West Australian
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

‘Freedom Rally’ protesters returned in smaller numbers to Elizabeth Quay on Saturday to march against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which came into effect for a vast number of workers this week.

Saturday’s protest attracted the smallest crowd yet, with just a few hundred in attendance.

On Wednesday, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate was enforced for a long list of occupations — including police, FIFO workers and community care workers.

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They are now required to have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

Before the march got underway, a speaker urged the protesters to “stand up for anti-corruption”.

“This is our best chance of changing the world,” she told the crowd.

Anita, a former registered nurse of 40 years, was among the rally-goers on Saturday.

She resigned in July as she did not want to get the jab, which she said was not classified as a vaccine.

Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

Escorted by police and chanting “freedom”, the protestErs marched through the city’s busy shopping precinct, disrupting Christmas shoppers.

“Wake up before it’s too late,” several rally-goers yelled out.

Mark, a former FIFO worker who lost his job after refusing to be jabbed for medical reasons, attended with his partner.

The pair wore tinted plastic masks covering their face “to stop photographs by the police” and for virus and pepper pray protection.

The mandates will eventually apply to more than 75 per cent of WA’s workforce, with non-compliers facing a $20,000 fine.

Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday.
Camera IconAnti-vaccine mandate protesters returned to the Perth CBD to rally against the new requirements which came into effect on Wednesday. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

More than 1000 angry protesters gathered to protest the policy on Wednesday, placing hundreds of FIFO high-vis vests on the steps of Parliament.

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