Channel 7 reporter, Paul Dowlsey had an energy drink thrown at him and was sprayed with what he thinks was urine, while trying to cover the tradie protest over mandatory vaccines in Melbourne.
Protestors, many donned in the signature tradie uniform of neon yellows and oranges, took to the streets in Melbourne yesterday. Hundreds marched through the city from the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CMFEU) office.
The protestors are rallying against the new regulation that requires tradesmen to get jabbed to work. However, the protest became violent with flares being shot and police using pepper spray to control the crowds. According to Pedestrian, the RSPCA are also investigating a dog being allegedly kicked at the protests.
Herald-Sun, has reported that protestors chanted, “sack Dan Andrews” and “for our kids.” The protestors also directed chants at journalists by chanting, “fake news.” and “report on the truth.”
Dowsley, who was there to report on the protests, experienced the crowd’s venom towards journalists first hand, when a protestor poured what he believes to be urine on him.
Dowsley said: “There was a group there who certainly targeted us a few minutes ago. We were standing on a seat trying to get an elevated view as the protest group walked past. A few in that crowd had it in for mainstream media. A man came from the side, grabbed me around the neck and others then joined in.
“The outcome of that was Rick, my cameraman colleague, and myself, now being covered in what I believe is urine. I believe that this has been thrown in my mouth, it’s all over me.”
According to news.com.au, Dowsley also clarified that a few protestors came to check on him after the incident, and were horrified by what had happened to him.
Despite the attack Dowsley kept reporting on the protest in real-time, however, Dowsley was attacked again when someone threw an energy drink, hitting him on the back of his head.
Dowlsey said: “That really hurt,” before asking to cross back to the studio, so he could assumedly attend to his sore head.
The moment @paul_dowsley is hit (again) this time with a can of drink. pic.twitter.com/jywumGU81O
— Blake Johnson (@BlakeJohnson) September 21, 2021
However, a Tradie and non-violent protestor, James, saw Dowsley get hit and when he saw there was blood, James came to the reporters’ aid and bought him some wipes.
Dowsley chased the kind-natured Tradie down to thank him.
https://twitter.com/EstelleGriepink/status/1440161442234179589
James said: “It’s not fair mate, all you’re trying to do is the report. You don’t deserve that.”
After quite an eventful day reporting, Dowsley took to Instagram to thank everyone for their support.
It is worth noting that Dowsley is not the only media person that was harmed yesterday.
ABC, has reported the police are investigating claims that a photographer for The Age was allegedly sprayed with capsicum spray. News.com.au, has also reported that three police officers were injured.
The tradies and their union have yet to reach an agreement.
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