Anti-lockdown protesters chant on the steps of Victoria's state parliament in Melbourne on May 10, 2020 before police arrested 10 protesters - Hundreds of people gathered to protest the state's tough lockdown laws as well as 5G, vaccinations and coronavirus being a hoax. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Police arrested 10 people, including two protest organizers, Sunday outside Melbourne’s Parliament House during a planned protest against Australia’s coronavirus response efforts, according to a statement obtained by CNN from Victoria Police.
The Victoria Police stated that protesters were in “direct contravention of the chief health officer’s current directives” regarding large gatherings and social distancing.
Three protesters were charged with assaulting a police officer, and one officer was taken to hospital for an apparent “rib injury.”
The police will continue to investigate the incident to identify those in attendance with the intention of issuing additional fines, the statement added.
