In some cases, the pandemic itself is the reason for the vocal dissent - as seen in Victoria with an unsanctioned protest turning violent at the weekend.

Police made 17 arrests and handed out more than 160 fines to anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne after scuffles broke out between protesters and police as a result of the unlawful event.

Sadly, the situation will do nothing to quell the fear and heightened emotions of citizens who are grappling with the reality of of strict lockdown rules, which include curfews and limited travel and time away from home.

Nor will Sunday's announcement that Victoria will remain in lockdown until at least October 26, although there is some light at the end of the tunnel, with plans to extend the nightly curfew by an hour from next Sunday and relax social interaction restrictions that would allow people to have a two-person a picnic at a local park or read a book at the beach.

Such past times, once considered a typical Saturday for most, will no doubt be seen as luxuries for residents feeling starved of the outdoors in recent times.

Speaking of outdoor activities, back to those protests.

If anyone has shown us how it's done - for better or for worse, you decide - it's the Americans, who are never ones to shy away from exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

Earlier this week, rival groups turned out at the famous Kentucky Derby horse race in continued demonstrations surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement.

Louisville had emerged as a flashpoint in the summer-long protest after the death of Breonna Taylor, a black 26-year-old killed when police burst into her apartment with a "no-knock" arrest warrant in March.

Further abroad, German citizens have taken to the streets of Leipzig for the third night in a row to protest against the gentrification of the city and lack of affordable housing.

As in Victoria, the protests turned violent, with firecrackers and stones being thrown at police and properties damaged throughout the city.

Meanwhile, it appears you don't even have to be involved in a protest to create controversy - you just have to comment on one.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Friday's release of the long-awaited live-action Mulan remake has been overshadowed by social media comments made by its star, Liu Yifei, in 2019, who voiced support for police during violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

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