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National

Thousands of protesters descend on Canberra's Parliament House to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates

More than 2,000 protesters have taken to the streets in the ACT. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to Canberra's streets and gathered in the parliamentary zone for another day, protesting against vaccine mandates. 

ACT Policing estimated the crowd to be more than 2,000 people, many of whom had travelled to the Australian Capital Territory from across Australia.

Their march began at Glebe Park in the city centre this morning, before  they moved onto Commonwealth Avenue, significantly disrupting traffic.

By early afternoon, the protesters had reached Parliament House, where riot police were deployed.

Riot police were stationed at Parliament House throughout the day. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)

Demonstrators sang and waved flags and signs criticising COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Two sitting MPs — Craig Kelly from the United Australia Party and George Christensen from the Liberal National Party — appeared at the protests.

Mr Christensen live-streamed the event on social media.

Police told motorists to avoid the area because of heavy traffic delays.

Craig Kelly was at the protest against mandatory vaccination. (ABC News: Antoinette Radford)

March ends week of protests

Many demonstrators at today's march had spent the week camping on the Patrick White Lawns, near the National Library of Australia, as part of the Convoy to Canberra protest.

Police conducted a large operation yesterday to remove camping equipment and illegally parked vehicles from the area.

While peaceful protests within the parliamentary are permitted, camping and parking without a permit is not.

The protesters ended their march at Parliament House on Saturday afternoon. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

"ACT Policing respect you and your family's democratic right to peacefully protest at this location," police said over a loudspeaker, before warning that any items left behind would be seized.

"Any person attempting to interfere with police in the course of their duties may be subject to arrest."

Four vehicles were towed away, and one man was arrested after police found a gun in his vehicle.

He was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court earlier today.

Protesters caused significant disruptions to the Parliamentary Zone.  (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
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