Protesters Clash with Authorities Over Two-Week Industry Shutdown to Combat Covid-19 Spread
In Melbourne, thousands of protesters gathered for the second consecutive day on September 21, 2021, after authorities announced the forced two-week closure of the construction industry in an effort to combat rising Covid-19 cases linked to the sector. The closure was imposed due to concerns about poor compliance with health orders, with the Victorian Health Minister, Martin Foley, reporting that 403 cases were connected to 186 construction sites across the state.
The protests turned violent as demonstrators, many wearing hi-vis gear, clashed with police and blocked traffic, including the West Gate Freeway. They gathered outside the CFMEU building before marching to Parliament House while chanting and setting off flares.
Foley condemned the protests, calling them a “deplorable insult to Victorians” and warning that they could turn into super-spreader events. He explained that the closure of the industry, which has been estimated to cost over $6 billion, was necessary to reduce the spread of the virus.
When protesters ignored police orders to disperse, riot police and officers on horseback moved in. Authorities fired non-lethal rubber pellets into the crowd, with water bottles and cans being thrown back at police. The protests follow a wider pushback against health measures intended to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Victoria.
