Dozens of Melbourne arrested in St Kilda after a week of violent chaos

Police have swarmed on protesters gathering in Melbourne as anti-lockdown rallies reach its sixth day. 

Hundreds of officers arrested a dozen demonstrators at the St Kilda foreshore on Saturday in a rally that peaked up to 200 people. 

Protesters gathered in the inner beachside suburb chanting slogans like 'together, united, we'll never be divided' and 'we are not afraid'.

Other participants in the crowd were heard shouting 'f*** Dan Andrews' from megaphones.

The group spilled out onto Beach Road as a police helicopter hovered above the rally and a roadblock set-up outside Luna Park. 

More than 20 public response order units lined the outbound lanes as officers formed a giant wall around demonstrators along the beach. 

A group of officers placed several men in handcuffs before they were lead away from the area. 

Busloads of officers had arrived to the foreshore just before midday on Saturday after organisers summoned protesters for the 'Millions March for Freedom' rally.

But defiant anti-lockdown participants later conceded defeat due to the heavy police presence after days of chaos in the CBD.

Secret Telegram messages seen by Daily Mail Australia from a group run by key organisers of the demonstrations thank those involved but admit the week ended in a loss.

'We want you to know we are so proud of everyone in our community, new and old, for their bravery to stand up for their rights in the face of such adversity,' the message read.

'Don't ever forget that we made history that day.