Earlier this week we reported that a pregnant woman from Melbourne, Australia, was arrested in her home for creating a social media page for an anti-lockdown protest. According to a new report from ABC news, three other Australians have also been arrested for making anti-lockdown posts online.
On Friday morning, a man named James Bartolo was also arrested in his home, and his arrest was recorded as well.
In the video, which was live-streamed through his Facebook page, Bartolo can be seen arguing with police who were gathered outside of his door, insisting that they did not have permission to enter his property.
“You don’t have authorization to be on the property,” he said.
Eventually, police busted through the door and made the arrest anyway. Since he did not go with the police willingly they stacked up additional charges against him, including resisting arrest and possession of prohibited weapons that were found in his home.
Bartolo is reportedly the fourth Australian the be arrested for incitement related to anti-lockdown posting online. After his arrest, Bartolo posted followup videos urging his friends and supporters to stay away from the upcoming protests in Melbourne on Sunday, calling the protests a “trap.”
He also suggested that large crowds at the protest could be used as an excuse to extend the lock-down measures. The region of Victoria is currently under level 4 restrictions, which includes a curfew and a limit on how far people can travel from their homes. As of now, there is no clear date for when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted in the region.
The crackdown and string of arrests were criticized by the Australian Human Rights Commission which posted a statement on Twitter regarding 28-year-old Zoe Buhler, the woman who was arrested in front of her children for organizing a protest on Facebook.
Hi Scott
ReplyDeleteThis article is simply not true.
This story was aired by the ABC which is an outstanding independent
news organization in Australia.
The parts displayed through Facebook etc.. have being largely edited to suit the authors needs.
The people of Victoria have ignored all directives in regard to safe traveling, community gatherings, sporting events the list goes on.
The rest of Australia is sick and tired of the poor behaviour of the Victorian public. There is no conspiracy, there is no government secret agenda to oppress the public or to 'cattle em in' it is simply very selfish behaviour by godless individuals who have little or no morals, or regard for there fellow humans especially those in the most harmfully front line....the elderly
John Vibes who published this story is an individual with no credit or qualifications to comment or publish stories that play into the hands of conspiracy authors.
Walk around any capital city in Australia and indeed the suburbs on Sunday morning and watch families gather in various houses of faith, listen to the bells chiming to sing out the call to praise...Scott in this country God is very much alive...there is a very tiny group that would like to sing to the world Australia has lost its way, its falling into a dictatorship...simply not correct we are a proud nation, a compassionate nation,
with a decent respectful police force under enormous pressure in these troubled times.
Regards
James
Hello Scott
ReplyDeleteI agree with James that Australia is not falling into dictatorship etc.
I live in Melbourne Victoria, but I personally have not witnessed any of this so called "poor behaviour of the Victorian public". Where I live, we follow the government's instructions.
Our covid problems stem from badly managed hotel quarantines earlier this year.
I know there are people who break the rules but as a Victorian it's very insulting - i've seen none of my friends since March and our church has been online since around that time.
I personally don't know anyone who isn't following the government's instructions.
Thanks for your updates. Very encouraging.
B from Melbourne