Watch: Hundreds Arrested, Fined In Australia Amid Nationwide Protests Against Lockdowns

(Resist the Mainstream, Aug 21, 2021) Police arrested more than 250 people Saturday as protests swept Australia in response to renewed lockdown orders amid rising cases of COVID-19.

Anti-lockdown protesters swarmed the streets of Melbourne and Sydney, which led to the hospitalization of seven police officers, according to Reuters.

“Mounted police used pepper spray in Melbourne to break up crowds of more than 4,000 surging toward police lines, while smaller groups of protesters were prevented from congregating in Sydney by a large contingent of riot police,” Reuters reported.

In Melbourne, 218 people were reportedly arrested, 236 were fined, and three were placed in custody for allegedly assaulting police. In Sydney, 47 people were charged with violating public health orders or resisting arrest, and police issued more than 260 fines.