Over 6000 reports to police about illegal Sydney protest
There were nearly two reports for every person who went to the illegal anti-lockdown in Sydney at the weekend.
Over 6000 reports have been made to NSW Police after it called on people to dob in anyone they knew at the rally.
An estimated 3500 people attended and 60 people have been charged in relation to it.
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More than 6000 reports have been made to NSW Police about the illegal anti-lockdown rally in Sydney at the weekend. Brook Mitchell
NSW Police Minister David Elliott said the sheer number of reports shows how upset members of the community were with people who went.
"(This) suggests to me there is zero tolerance out there for members of the community who want to do the wrong thing," Mr Elliott said.
"Keep the info coming folks because you're doing the police a fantastic service."
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More than 60 people have been charged and dozens more fined for their attendance. Brook Mitchell
He also addressed the "white-hot rage" felt by the majority of people doing the right thing while seeing others break the law and disobey the health orders.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that 99 per cent of the population is doing the right thing," Mr Elliott said.
"And that 99 per cent of the population is very, very frustrated with those people that are pushing envelope, and flouting the laws."
"Most members of parliament and most media outlets can feel the white-hot rage from those of us who are staying at home under very difficult circumstances
"Managing students, managing family illness, managing loneliness, managing mental health, managing work commit, managing the financial stress while others just want to go out and completely ignore the health orders."
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Anti-lockdown protest on 24 July, 2021. Photo: Brook Mitchell Brook Mitchell
Mr Elliot said under normal circumstances police would not expect members of the public to "dob" in others but the pandemic was different.
"It's unfortunate that we have had nearly record numbers of people ringing Crime Stoppers," Mr Elliott said.
"Now I don't want anybody going around thinking is that we have become a nation of dobbers.
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An estimated 3500 people went to the illegal protest in Sydney. Brook Mitchell
"We are a nation of family lovers.
"We are a nation of people that want to make sure their communities and families remain safe.
"And we're a nation of people who want to make sure we get out of this pandemic as swiftly as possible."
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