'Arrest ScoMo': Rowdy mob gathers outside National Press Club

Kamilia Palu
·News Editor
·2-min read

Hundreds of rowdy protesters have descended on Canberra, chanting anti-vaccine sentiments outside the National Press Club as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepared to address the nation.

Cries of “no more mandates”, “arrest ScoMo” and “we will not comply” could be heard among honking horns and cheering.

Video posted to Twitter shows lines of cars and crowds of people waving Australian flags, and flags in support of Donald Trump. Some held signs reading "End The Mandates" and "No Jabs 4 Jobs”.

Protesters are seen during an anti-vaccination rally outside the National Press Club of Australia where Prime Minister Scott Morrison will speak in Canberra.
Anti-vaccine protesters and a convoy of cars gathered outside the National Press Club on Tuesday. Source: AAP

The protests are part of the Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination rally, which saw more than 800 anti-vax protesters gathered on Parliament House lawn on Monday.

Some of the activists told The Canberra Times they intend on staying until the first sitting of Parliament on February 8.

On Tuesday in a park near the National Library, hundreds of protesters set up camp. Political journalist Josh Butler filmed a sea of cars, caravans, buses and tents filling the field.

“Numbers have swelled overnight,” he wrote. “I counted 200+ cars/trucks/vans in this area alone, with more out of sight down the park, and more arriving regularly. They plan more picketing today.”

Mr Butler also captured one protester wearing a homemade tin foil hat.

National Press Club President and ABC correspondent Laura Tingle posted a photo to Twitter of the crowds outside her office.

A row of police officers can be seen surrounding the group.

“Another day in the office,” she wrote.

Rally members disagree with 'aggressive' approach

Members of The Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination rally, also called the 2022 Official Convoy to Canberra, have posted updates to Facebook from the rally – but some members disagreed with the disorderly approach.

“Too much noise! It's aggressive.. if you want to make an impact, stop swearing, stop screaming.. speak to the police officers one on one,” one person wrote.

A woman is photographed wearing a homemade tinfoil hat at an anti-vaccine rally in Canberra.
One protester was spotted wearing a homemade tinfoil hat. Source: Josh Butler/Twitter

“Explain to them what is happening. Show empathy. Show them the documents. Tell your stories. We need them on our side!”

“Don’t let them rile you,” another said. “It’s more effective if calm and quiet. They have nothing they can fight with.”

Others claimed that approach had fallen on deaf ears.

Entrances to Parliament House were closed by federal police on Tuesday, with only pass holders allowed access, NCA Newswire reported.

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