COVID-19 Vaccination Protest

Innocent members of the community, especially the young and the elderly, will suffer the consequences of the majority who are verbally or physically attacking health workers due to vaccine fears.

Health workers and support staff manning facilities around the city have reported incidents of stone throwing, swearing and threats to their personal safety, with members of public viewing them as agents of the forced COVID-19 vaccine.

Otherwise, police maintained command and control within the suburbs of Eriku, town and market.

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, said despite his office not receiving any formal notice of a planned protest, they went ahead and conducted a mini operation to safeguard lives and properties in the city.

The operation started as early as 4am on Friday, the 29^th of October, where police setup checkpoints at the three strategic locations of Two-Mile, Kamkumung and Chinatown.

A large crowd started gathering at Eriku by 8am but were not allowed to convene at the Eriku Oval due to police presence.

Shops closed their doors while classes were suspended as the crowd size started increasing around the Eriku busstop.

A large crowd soon started marching at around 11am but were held at bay at the St Mary's Primary School gate by Lae metropolitan superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, and his team.

The crowd were armed with placards saying: "My right, my choice" and "Say no to mandatory vaccination".

The proposed protest is against the COVID-19 vaccination, and is set to be hosted at the Eriku Oval at 9am.

The Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry said usual policing protocols will be undertaken hence they hope it would be a peaceful and non-disruptive protest.

Residents are encouraged to be vigilant as opportunists might take advantage of the event.