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Friday, March 29, 2024

Three protesters arrested as campers evicted from EPIC

ACT police have arrested three vaccine mandate protesters following a peaceful operation to evict a group of demonstrators from a Canberra campsite.

Members of the Convoy to Canberra had been staying at the EPIC campgrounds following rallies during the weekend.

Protesters were ordered to leave the campsite by Sunday, due to the grounds being used for the upcoming Canberra Show.

There were about 1000 protesters still on the campground on Monday morning before police moved in to evict them.

A man and a woman were charged with trespass and a second man was charged with trespass and resisting a territory official.

No vehicles were required to be towed and no camping equipment was seized.    

Detective Acting Superintendent Rod Anderson from ACT police said despite the arrests, the operation had been peaceful.

“The operation was successful, it went to plan,” he said.

“Although we did use a large number of police resources … none of our members were injured, no members of the public were injured, so on the whole very successful.”

ACT Policing is aware that protestors are seeking to locate alternative camping areas within the ACT. They are reminded that they must only set up in designated and available camping sites.  

Police said those who were camping illegally would be dealt with by officers.

Low level protest activity may continue to occur in the Parliamentary Triangle and other areas in the coming days and as a result, short-term traffic disruptions may be experienced.   

More than 10,000 people gathered outside Parliament House on Saturday, rallying against vaccine mandates and COVID vaccinations, shutting down major roads in the capital.

It was the largest protest conducted by the group since the convoy arrived in Canberra two weeks ago.

Saturday’s protests led to the cancellation of a farmer’s market held on the campgrounds as well as Lifeline’s annual book fair, the charity’s biggest fundraiser. 

Despite missing out on holding the book fair, Lifeline Canberra has received around $500,000 in donations since the cancelled event.

With AAP

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