Silent Protests Across Australia Against COVID-19 Lockdowns, Several Arrested

Gold Coast residents are seen with their backs turned to the Gold Coast City Council during a ‘Silent Protest’ at Bundall on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Aug. 31, 2021. “Pro-Choice” protests have been carried out in dozens of locations in all states and territories, borne out of opposition towards mandatory vaccinations for authorised workers – including truck drivers – from 12 local government areas in Sydney. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Thousands of Australians frustrated with COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates mobilised across the country on Tuesday for planned mostly peaceful and silent protests in front of government buildings.

A flyer circulating on Telegram stated, “Enough is enough,” and called for silent protests in multiple Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions to begin at 9 a.m.: “No signs. No speeches. No noise.” It accused the governments of both countries of being “abusive” and called for citizens to “stand up.”