Tag: Melbourne protests

Omicron: A New Variant and a New Hope for Australia

Commentary As we approach the end of 2021, COVID-19 adds another component in the Greek alphabet for us to learn—the 15th letter, Omicron. And just as a new variant emerges, provoking grim fear of more restrictions, hundreds of thousands of Australians have been taking to streets of our major cities to protest the heavy-handed exercise…


Omicron: A New Variant and New Hope for Australia

Commentary As we approach the end of 2021, COVID-19 adds another component in the Greek alphabet for us to learn—the 15th letter, Omicron. And just as a new variant emerges, provoking grim fear of more restrictions, hundreds of thousands of Australians have been taking to streets of our major cities to protest the heavy-handed exercise…


Are Demonstrations a Viable Way to Oppose COVID-19 Health Orders?

Commentary Demonstrations against COVID-19 restrictions, mandatory vaccination, lockdowns, and border restrictions have occurred in most capital cities of Australia. In Melbourne, demonstrations turned violent when construction workers marched against the prolonged lockdown. Thousands of protesters assembled on Nov. 6, 2021, to protest the vaccine mandates of the Victorian government and its controversial Public Health and…


Australians Protest in Melbourne After New Sweeping Vaccine Mandate Announced

Australians took to the streets for another protest in Melbourne in the state of Victoria on Saturday after the government announced a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all “authorised workers.” Victorian residents took to the streets and congregated in a group that marched along Southbank Boulevard and the track around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Participants…


Australian Police Break Up Trucker Protest Against Mandatory Vaccination, Lockdowns

Melbourne police have curtailed another protest against lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations after pulling over and fining a group of Australian truck drivers. On the morning of Sept. 28, a convoy of eight trucks were moving slowly at 20 km/h (12.4 m/h) on the Tullamarine Freeway taking up one lane. Several trucks were seen with banners…


The COVID-19 Response and the Emergence of Illiberalism

Commentary The impact of COVID-19 directions on the lives of people is truly staggering. The interminable lockdown and border closures have wrought havoc and inflicted misery on many people. Each day, people are inundated with fluid and ever-changing COVID-19 directions, which, however, are hardly transparent. This idea of constant change was captured perceptively by Michael…


‘Allow People to Make Their Own Choice’: Former Australian PM on Melbourne Protests

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is urging authorities to let Australians make their own decision on whether to take the vaccine, amid ongoing protests in Melbourne involving thousands of Victorians against government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. “I don’t think anyone should break the law, but I can certainly understand people resenting what they see as bad laws…