Three people have been charged and 25 others were issued infringement notices for violations during an alleged “unlawful” COVID-19 protest in Darwin City on Saturday, according to NT Police.

But organisers say their permit was rejected at the last minute on Friday.

Authorities said between 100 to 240 people participated in the protest on February 5, that commenced around 5pm.

The group gathered along the Esplanade to protest COVID-19 related government mandates.

While NT Police did not provide many details about the protest, Free in the NT held their rally on Saturday.

In a live video recorded by the group and posted on Facebook, Territory Duty Superintendent James Gray-Spence can be seen communicating with the protesters.

Supt Gray-Spence said NT Police “recognise a democratic right for freedom of opinion”.

But he reminded protesters that marching on roadways without a permit poses a danger not only to protesters but also to motorists.

“Please do not march on the roads today. It’s not safe,” he said.

“The speakers that are currently here, some of the people that were driving past on the roundabout, yelling out things to incite … we call on them to … go away. So we’re trying to make a safe environment for everyone.”

In the video, Supt Gray-Spence claimed that the group’s organisers did not coordinate with the police and the council before the rally.

“There’s no organiser here that I’ve been able to identify,” he said in the video.

“It makes my job very difficult when I don’t know where you’re gonna go or where you’re gonna walk, or what road you’re gonna go [on].

“We can’t facilitate your march this week. No one’s come to talk to us about what you’re doing or what your intentions are.

“I can’t possibly pull that planned operation out right now.

“But next week, please re-engage. Identify someone within your group to start talking to council and police and do the right thing: don’t walk on the roads when you’re not authorised to do so.”

However, immediately after Supt Gray-Spence spoke, one of the group’s members took to the stage to air their side.

“At the end of the day, I know that there was a permit that was sought after by Free in the NT previously and it was declined at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon,” the protester said.

“So, if they actually really think they’re gonna keep us off the roads that we pay for, we were fine to march last time. There was no issue, you walked with us. So, what is the problem now?

“We are the people that pay your wages, tax-money pays your wages, it’s actually wrong that you would try to stop us when you were so so great with us last time.

“It’s really, really disappointing. We are going to march!”

The group went on marching down numerous city streets from the Esplanade yelling “resist, defy, do not comply!”

NT Police alleged the group “disregarded red lights and caused significant disruption to traffic”.

A 43-year-old man has since been charged with breach of bail for Saturday’s march, police said in a statement on Thursday.

A 37-year-old man was also arrested on Wednesday and charged with taking part in a parade, procession, event without permit, walking without due care, and entering a pedestrian crossing on a red light.

He was bailed to appear at the Darwin Local Court February 22.

A 26-year-old female was also arrested on Wednesday and charged with taking part in a parade, procession, event without permit, and walking without due care.

She was bailed to appear at the Darwin Local Court on April 7.

Police said they also issued 25 infringement notices for offences including walking without due care, failing to obey a red light and driving unlicensed.

Superintendent James O’Brien said that police support the right to protest, but “it must be done so in a lawful manner”.

“Disrupting traffic and attempting to occupy roadways with children in tow puts the safety of protestors, road users, and police all at risk,” he said.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid unauthorised events as disruption may occur without warning, jeopardising public safety.”