Hawkesbury protest update – 50 protestors, 2 arrests, 8 penalty notices

This morning’s protest outside the Hawkesbury Council building in Windsor led to 2 protestors being arrested and 8 penalty infringement notices (PINs) handed out by police.

Hawkesbury Police told us this evening 50 people gathered at the Council offices today from 9am as part of a more widespread protest across NSW against the lockdown – police said there were 79 protests state-wide – with some protestors clearly questioning whether COVID is real.

One protestor wore a t-shirt with the words, “for a disease so deadly you have to be tested to know you have it”.

Two protestors at the Hawkesbury gathering – called Silent Stand by its supporters – were arrested when they refused to reveal their identity. They were later released when they did reveal their identities and were issued with PINs.

There were no injuries during the Hawkesbury protest.

Across the State, police arrested more than 150 people and issued almost 600 PINs following the unauthorised protests.

“Acting on information and intelligence, the NSW Police Force deployed more than 900 officers this morning to conduct high-visibility patrols of various sites expected to be targeted by unauthorised protests, including NSW Parliament House and local council chambers,” said a police spokesperson.

Officers from across NSW were supported by the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Dog and Mounted Unit, and other specialist units.

Three officers received minor injuries at protests in Lismore, Murwillumbah and Raymond Terrace.

In total, 153 people were arrested – including the 2 at the Hawkesbury protest – and most were released once officers were able to establish their identity to issue a PIN.

Others were charged with a variety of offences including breaches of the public health order, assault police, resist arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on.

A total of 573 PINS were issued across NSW, including not wear fitted masked covering in prescribed outdoor gathering ($500), not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19 ($1000), and unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering – stay at home order ($3000).

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