Thousands of anti-vaccination protesters have swarmed 13 cities across Australia as part of 'freedom rallies' to oppose Covid-19 vaccine mandates, as riot police brace for violence.
Anti-coronavirus vaccine mandate protests were scheduled for Saturday in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and regional centres as part of a global 'freedom' movement.
The Melbourne crowd began to mass outside Victoria's parliament before midday before walking to Flagstaff Gardens.
The demonstrators loosely comprise groups who oppose COVID-19 vaccines, mandates and the state's proposed pandemic laws, which stalled in the upper house this week.
Many chose to dress up for the occasion and brought along handwritten signs reading 'fight tyranny' (pictured in Sydney)
A 'freedom rally' protester wearing a 'My Body, My Choice' t-shirt marches on the street in Melbourne
Watched on by police, they chanted 'kill the bill' and yelled 'sack Dan Andrews' while carrying placards featuring a range of anti-government and anti-vaccine mandate slogans.
The crowd has since grown to several thousand at the gardens, where a band played John Farnham's You're the Voice.
A counter demonstration at the nearby Eight Hour Day Monument has also attracted a smaller crowd but group organisers have pledged not to seek a confrontation.
Thousands turned out at protests around the country on Saturday, demanding an end to vaccination mandates
A protester holds a mock-banner of Daniel Andrews dressed in a prison jumpsuit as rallies unfolded in Melbourne
The 'freedom rallies' have already kicked off in the NSW and Victoria capital cities with more demonstrations on the way in 11 other cities on Saturday (pictured, Melbourne)
Protesters raise their fists in solidarity during the 'freedom' rally in Melbourne on Saturday
One protester brought along a blow up balloon which read 'punching bag Dan' in criticism of Daniel Andrews
Anti-fascists had earlier warned they would be gatecrashing the rally as they believed the demonstrations had been hijacked by far-right groups.
'All you fascists – about to lose', 'you're anti-vax, you're anti-health – you can go f**k yourself', are among the phrases being chanted by the protesters.
Protesters are also waving banners with several anti-fascist messages including 'Melbourne is an anti-fascist town', 'neo-Nazis off our streets' and 'stand against the far right'.
Anti-fascists have also made an appearance after vowing to disrupt the 'freedom rallies' that they claim have been hijacked by far-right groups
'Pro-vax, Anti-Fascist' banner is carried by peaceful protestors rallying against the 'freedom' demonstrators
One protestor dressed up as Moses for the occasion in Melbourne on Saturday for the Worldwide Rally for Freedom
The Eureka Flag is a common sighting at the 'freedom' rally (pictured, demonstrators in Sydney)
The anti-fascist demonstrators were escorted by police to avoid clashing with the other protesters, some of whom they believe have been infiltrated by far-right members.
Anti-vaccination demonstrators have waved their own placards condemning vaccine mandates and comparing them to 'segregation'.
'Hands Off Our Kids', 'End Segregation Now', and 'Let Hearts Heal' are among the messages written on the banners.
MP Catherine Cumming attends the 'freedom rally' as it takes off in Melbourne on Saturday
Brisbane , Perth , Adelaide , Hobart and other regional centres are among the places where protesters plan to march on the street (pictured, Sydney)
Thousands of protesters have staged anti-vaccination rallies around Australia with demonstrations breaking out in Sydney and Melbourne (pictured, Sydney)
Demonstrators storm the steps outside Victoria Parliament to protest against vaccine mandates
Premier Daniel Andrews was another popular focal point of the demonstrators with several mock-up placards made up of the premier.
Several banners took aim at Mr Andrews and included messages, 'Dan Andrews Human Rights Abuser', 'Everything Dan Touches Turns To Sh**', and 'Jail Andrews'.
One demonstrator appeared to make a mockery of the face mask mandate by wearing the face covering with a hole cut out in the middle of it.
A demonstrator in Newtown, Sydney, with a sign that reads: 'Pro science, anti violence'
Anti-fascist protesters set up a stall in Newtown, Sydney, which read: 'Pro vax, pro union, anti-fascist'
Melbourne protesters are seen shouting out during a demonstration on Saturday
The mass rally had also drawn support from politicians including Independent MP Catherine Cumming.
In Sydney, several thousands of protesters also marched through the CBD and gathered in Hyde Park to voice their concerns.
Demonstrators sang the national anthem before one of them declared they had 'taken Sydney back'.
The sound of bagpipes echoed through York St as a man dressed in white screamed 'destroy the new world order' and others chanted 'walk with us'.
The largest demonstrations have been staged in Melbourne with thousands of protesters turning up
Melbourne was overrun with a mix of demonstrators on Saturday - some protested the vaccine mandate, others protested against the protest
Avi Yemini is a popular YouTuber who has frequently been covering the demonstrations in Melbourne and lending a sympathetic ear to anti-vaccine demonstrators
YouTuber Avi Yemini speaks with police during the anti-vaccination rally in Melbourne on Saturday
A Sydney demonstrator carried a 'kill the bill' sign, while others waved Australian flags.
United Australia Party leader and federal MP Craig Kelly is addressing the crowd at Martin Place after visiting a Melbourne protest last weekend.
Party founder and former senator Clive Palmer was scheduled to speak at the sister rally in Brisbane.
It comes after Queensland MP Brittany Lauga has contacted police after she and other members of state parliament received an email with 'threats of terrorism, extremism and violence'.
'I understand local doctors have been sent death threats and other threatening letters,' she wrote on Twitter.
'I unequivocally condemn these threats of
