Quote:
Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer
. . .
The "protesters" say it's because the Netherlands is turning in a police state, that cafés, restaurants and shops have a difficult time being closed (true). On the other hand they loot those same shops, cafés and restaurants. They attacked one hospital on Sunday and tried again at another one last night. IMHO most of them just use the curfew as an excuse.
|
Somewhat of a contrast in Sydney.
Officially, the 26th is Australia Day, it commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 (rough equivalent of the Mayflower landing in 1620). Normally we have ferry races and other events on the Harbour - but in covid times not so much. Our indigenous people refer to it as Invasion Day, and normally have a protest march and a rally in the Domain - it pre-dates the local BLM movement.
On Monday, rally organisers failed in a last-minute bid to secure an exemption from public health orders that limits protests in Sydney to 500 people. The NSW government refused to exempt the event and warned attendees they could be arrested and fined.
Here's what happened
About 3500 people had registered on the rally event Facebook page, the police conservatively estimated 2000 to 3000 showed up on the day, media say 5,000. Organisers met with senior police early on Tuesday and settled on a plan that would allow the seated rally to go ahead, with the crowd separated into 500-person segments, but cancelled the planned march that would have started at the park.
Here they are, masked, sanitised, and logged in via the government QR code attendance app. Masks are only mandatory in NSW on public transport and some retail establishments - by wearing them the attendees were scoring a political point.
There was a small scuffle after the event and a couple of people were arrested and issued with fines. But 99% of people left peaceably, probably straight to the beach, it was 40°C today. The Police deserve credit for working with the organisers to deliver such a good outcome.
There's a Covid press conference scheduled for tomorrow I would like to hear an apology from the Police and Health Ministers - if they have the guts to show up.