In yet another completely normal day in the U.S., hundreds of Americans have taken to the New York City streets, chanting “Save Australia!” and waving Australian flags to protest lockdown restrictions Down Under.
Just when you didn’t think 2021 could get any stranger, here come some more marching Americans. In an effort to oppose mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers over there (which came into effect this week), they ‘cleverly’ decided to weaponise the current situation in Australia.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge before arriving at the Australian consulate, they chanted things like “freedom” and “we will not comply”; banners displayed messages of support for Melbourne and Sydney. Speeches were then held in support of Australia.
Protesters march onto the Brooklyn Bridge, shutting down the Manhattan-bound side of the roadway amidst chants of “Save Australia!” #NewYork pic.twitter.com/Fnji4g9weA
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 4, 2021
Protesters against mandates chant “save Australia” outside of the Australian Consulate in New York City. pic.twitter.com/KzOKJin84l
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) October 4, 2021
“What’s going on in Australia is not just going to be Australia. And when it shows up on our doorsteps, we’re gonna punch it right in the f***ing teeth,” one speaker shouted. “We’re holding the line for Australia, we support Australia!” said another.
I can’t emphasise how surreal this is. It’s like when an angry mob would get angry over the smallest little thing in The Simpsons.
Living in Melbourne, I’ve officially been in lockdown longer than the majority of the world. I’ve longed to get out for weeks now; I can’t wait to go back to pubs and gigs. What I didn’t need, though, was a futile and embarrassing march of solidarity from a bunch of Americans. I bet a large number of the U.S. marchers’ Aussie knowledge extends to Steve Irwin and the Sydney Opera House.
The only purpose it’s served is to make Aussies bloody bemused. The hashtag #SaveAustralia sprung up and has overtaken Twitter and it’s a genuine goldmine. So without much further ado, please sit back and enjoy the best Twitter reactions to the American march.
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Save Australia!!! We are being held captive here by universal healthcare, no guns, abundant sunshine and low covid rates. Help!!!
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) October 5, 2021
Save Australia? Save yourselves. https://t.co/1KAY7ZKn0b pic.twitter.com/Pvgjpv73Zb
— Emmee (@blueemmee) October 5, 2021
Americans – where 1 in 500 people have died of covid – want to ‘save Australia’, when we’ve had 1 in 20,000 deaths? What? https://t.co/WSJMEh31ZQ
— Victoria Fielding (@DrVicFielding) October 5, 2021
seeing all these "save australia" protests, the only thing we need saving from is magpie season pic.twitter.com/6LGJkexRno
— 💧live (@acl__live) October 5, 2021
Not sure what Americans in NY are saving us from, but if it's a lack of American tourists entering Australia and clogging up our beaches, then thanks I guess. #SaveAustralia @BGOnTheScene pic.twitter.com/gFjEDpkhjJ
— Mark Burrough (@mfburrough) October 5, 2021