I want to address those readers that claim the antivaxxer protest on the weekend was just an ordinary protest - it was anything but ordinary - let's be clear, it was a far-right extremist protest.

Mainstream media outlets such as the ABC, Fairfax and News Ltd have all reported on the involvement of neo-Nazi skin heads and other extremist groups in organising these so called "freedom" rallies. Associate editor of Crikey, Cam Wilson, noted the attendance of numerous far right groups, including the Proud Boys, at Melbourne "freedom" rallies in his article 'Extremists, conspiracy theorists, politicians and ordinary Australians mingled at Melbourne protests' published on November 15, this year.

Anti-fascist activist Andy Flemming has noted that members of prominent Melbourne neo-Nazi metal band 'Fortress' have been involved in leadership of these protests, several members of the neo-Nazi 'National Socialist Network' have been photographed in the Melbourne crowds.

The red ensign (our maritime flag, the red one that was so prominent in the crowd on Sunday) has been appropriated by the 'sovereign citizens' movement - another violent far right extremist ideology.

Finally, one of the speakers and his group the "Aussie Cossack" were present in Ballarat. This violent, Russian ultra nationalist group pickets Ukrainian orthodox churches and threatens parishioners, claiming Ukraine is part of Russia - why they were in attendance is anyone's guess.

Clearly this was a far-right extremist protest with a high potential for violence, and those who attended should take a long hard look in the mirror.

- Stuart Walsh, Eureka

You cannot begin to imagine my disappointment in hearing that Cr Hargreaves attended the rally on the weekend in Ballarat. I am a Eureka descendant.

I believe in science. I believe in vaccines. I believe that we need to follow health advice and support the world in dealing with this crisis.

Perhaps you attended to ask people about the appropriation of our Ballarat symbol for their insane theories?

Perhaps you attended to challenge the crackpot science that they are spouting?

Perhaps you attended to ask why they would cause the lockdown of our struggling city?

Somehow I doubt it.

- Robert Bourke-Finn, Ballarat

I feel the issue of a Councillor being at a event as a private citizen has been blown out of all proportion. I find it offensive however that her image was taken without her knowledge, shared on social media, used by numerous news outlets without crediting the photographer. Surely with all the politicians being upset about privacy and threats to their families they have lately received, a stream of support must come from those in power to condemn this type of bullying.

Nick Shady, Alfredton

How many of the protesters were Ballarat residents?

And how many were imports or professional protesters?

- Yvonne McDonald, Invermay Park

It seems ironic that in Ballarat, where Eureka flags still fly, and on the anniversary of the Eureka Stockade, a person is villified for attending a rally.

I also don't understand why businesses had to close for a few hundred visitors to the town.

What am I missing?

- Helen Torriero, Ballarat

This councillor has a responsibility to the people she represents and she refuses to give a confirmation of her status.

Appearing in a protest of this kind is a direct contradiction to her status as a councillor.

How can people have trust in her?

I know I wouldn't, she needs to resign.

- Diane Grant, Lake Wendouree

So let me get this right: if I wish to enter an establishment which pre-Covid I could at will, I need to show my vaccination status.

This woman refuses and every other councillor is inconvenienced by her actions.

Exclude her from all future meetings.

The arrogance and entitlement is breathtaking. We all should keep copies of this article for reference at the next local government elections.

- Pat Cerra, Miners Rest

I see our council being bullied by one person.

The need to have City of Ballarat meetings to be held via camera link as well as in person for the present time is a joke.

We have seen police, teachers, nurses etc being sacked if they won't comply with government orders.

You have to be double-vaxexd to go into most shops and yet this so called councillor doesn't comply.

She needs to be treated the same way as everyone else comply or take her status off her.

Is Mr King going to show some leadership or just be held to ransom by one person?

We have seen the damage one person can do in the past within council.

They are gone now and Hargreaves should be made to toe the line or move on.

- Brian Foo, Brown Hill

Cr Hargreaves should be sacked.

The ignorant who aren't vaccinated could continue to put pressure on hospitals who are just managing to cope.

This is about your health and people like Cr Hargreaves have made it political.

The City of Ballarat can't afford to be represented by ignorant people like Cr Hargeaves.

- Michael Cooper, Black Hill

Thank you City of Ballarat CEO, for clarifying the legal position of attendees at the protest rally that severely disrupted the smooth functioning of the city.

So, it is completely alright for all elected City Councillors to set aside their position as elected representatives of their constituency, whenever they choose, and revert to being an unrepresentative citizen and take part in whatever disruptive activity, in their home city, they decide to do.

Presumably, without discussing the matter with their electorate.

Fine. If that's the rule.

Voters can make their own decisions about that, next election time.

I'm very relieved not to be an elected representative of 100,000 local people.

- David Chadderton, Wendouree

These so-called "freedom" protests have been shown to be driven by far-right groups.

Our elected representatives should be condemning these protests and the groups that are behind them, not marching with them.

Cr Hargreaves may have not crossed any legal lines, but marching in far-right inspired protests was a very, very poor choice.

- Neal Salan, Sebastopol

A shout of thanks to the responsible and caring people who have been vaccinated this year.

For those of us over 60 and with a co-morbidity, you are life-savers.

I'm ignoring the nutty anti-vaxxers, knowing them to be a selfish minority.

Freedom to protest is a democratic right, but violence and intimidation are not characteristic of a healthy democracy.

- Donna Runner, Lake Wendouree

Fancy issuing threats to kill against a business or person, just because they wanted to protect their livelihood.

Shows the mentality of those "people", if you can call them that.

Bad look to support these people by Cr Hargreaves.

Hope she is voted off council at the next elections.

- Robert Cook, Ballarat

I would like to comment on the notice hung on the door of the Mid Town Cellars & Bar.

It is their right as a business to decide not to trade and hang a notice to that effect, but what was written on the notice was a deliberate attempt to insight a rebuke.

Not happy with just saying the business was closed for trading, it was the words "after the tantrum leaves town" with no feeling or compassion for those that have suffered after being told that they will lose their livelihood if they are not injected.

The businesses did not have to close, they could have still traded if they so desired as the march apart from temporarily blocking off two or three streets for a short period of time the people simply passed by as they marched from Mair Street to Bakery Hill.

It was a peaceful march taking a stand for democratic and sovereign rights to 'choose without coercion' what gets injected into ones body and; that no government should ever come between patient and doctor let alone pass laws to take a families livelihood off them and create a second class society!

This is not 'democracy' and 'freedom!'

I do not condone violence or violent threats, therefore businesses when hanging a notice on their door need to be professional with their wording and not insight a rebuke and stir up trouble!

- Christine Frost, Ballarat