10 Thousand People Participate in Protest in Canberra

Ten thousand protesters opposing coronavirus restrictions and mandatory vaccinations gathered on Sunday in Canberra, in Friendship Park and surrounding streets near the Australian Parliament. According to The Canberra Times, the protest is peaceful, and the police in the capital have not taken steps to disperse it, as reported by TASS.

The protestors, who arrived from various regions of the country on Saturday, parked hundreds of cars, trucks, and motorcycles on the streets adjacent to Parliament and gathered in front of the building. They have dubbed their movement 'Convoy 2022', following in the footsteps of Canadian truck drivers whose protests began in January in North America.

The park management announced that protesters could remain in the area until Sunday evening, February 13, after which they must cease the demonstration and vacate the public space as preparation for an exhibition will begin. The police in Australia’s capital emphasized that anyone who does not comply with the park's management directives will be considered a violator of public order and will face administrative consequences.

It has been reported that participants in the protest are voicing their opposition to rules and restrictions imposed by authorities within the framework of combating the coronavirus. Specifically, the protesters are unhappy with the mandatory vaccination requirement for several categories of citizens.