THREAD: I've spoken to experts about claims that #faketradies infiltrated the construction worker protests in Melbourne.
They told me we're seeing the far-right and anti-lockdown personalities co-opting the concerns of the working class. bit.ly/39ogPyY
Experts stopped short of claiming far-right individuals ‘orchestrated’ the event and said the issue needs nuanced reporting. bit.ly/39ogPyY
.@elisethoma5 said we're seeing "the label of far-right" used more broadly to describe people that are disliked.
“There are objectionable people who aren't far-right. There's little evidence that yesterday's protest was coordinated by the far-right.” bit.ly/39ogPyY
I've reached out to the CFMEU about the protests outside their building over mandatory vaccines.
Their spokesperson said they don't have a media statement yet but John Setka will be on 3AW at around 3.20pm.
John Setka says he's still inside the CFMEU building.
"All we've ever done is try and keep our industry working safely... How it's all our fault is beyond me."
"Some of their violence, throwing projectiles and stuff like that was absolutely disgusting."
John Setka: There are construction workers out there. Some of our members are out there. They've expressed their feelings to me and I've engaged with them.
"We've never once said we support mandatory vaccinations. We believe it's their choice to make."
1/ I'm seeing lots of people on the TL musing over why a journalist may not identify themselves at a protest.
I watched a livestream of the Melbourne protest on Saturday where protesters screamed and jeered abuse at a journo from a major news network.
2/ This was all captured by a livestreamer whose coverage appears to be sympathetic to protesters.
I say this as protesters continuously came up to the livestreamer and praised him for 'doing a great job'.
3/ This suggests that some protesters are aware of who will cover them favourably and are harassing journalists who are independent or unbiased in their coverage, referring to them as "fake news" or intimidating them into leaving an area.
Commander Mark Galliott denied the protests were about freedom.
He said those who attended were "angry, aggressive males" who were there to "take on and fight with police." sbs.com.au/news/police-ar…
Police charged some protesters with riotous behaviour, assaulting police and weapons and drug offences.
Three police officers remain in hospital with injuries such as torn muscles, a broken elbow, a broken nose, a broken finger and bruises. sbs.com.au/news/police-ar…