Spa owner who was filmed screaming '1000 cases tomorrow' while laughing at Sydney's lockdown rally now insists it was a JOKE after being flooded with negative business reviews

A protester at Sydney's massive anti-lockdown rally who was filmed happily yelling there would be a 1,000 cases the next day has responded to backlash. 

The clip of south-western Sydney spa owner Le Dandachli at the protest quickly went viral online - with just one TikTok video featuring the clip by user lvnwng being viewed by more than half a million people in less than a day. 

Sydney and Melbourne streets were flooded by more than 10,000 protesters on Saturday who were demanding an end to strict lockdown which have been imposed in the two states. 

Spa owner Le Dandchli took to Instagram on Sunday to explain his comments at Sydney's anti-lockdown protest, saying he was making a joke referring to TikTok sensation Jon-Bernard Kairouz who has been correctly guessing Covid case numbers 

Taking to his Instagram account on Sunday, Mr Dandachli said his comments at the protest were not serious.  

A day earlier he was filmed standing among the thousands in the protest crowd not wearing a mask and yelling: 'A thousand cases tomorrow, yew'. 

Outraged viewers took to social media and began spamming his accounts with negative comments including that of his business - listed on his Instagram as Little Europe day spa in Liverpool. 

On Sunday, Mr Dandachli said he felt he had to put up another video to address the 'large amount of fake profiles that have appeared directing hatred' towards him and posting negative reviews of his business. 

'Yes I did go to the protest not only for myself but for you all to fight for small businesses and to fight for for freedom,' he said. 

'It was a very peaceful protest. Police were great, we were great. That was a simple joke of me saying 1000 cases - there was nothing serious about it.' 

He claimed his joke was in reference to Jon-Bernard Kairouz who has become popular on TikTok for correctly guessing case numbers before they appeared. 

Kairouz was speaking at the protest on Saturday afternoon and has since been issued a court attendance notice for breaking public health directions. 

Dandachli did not apologise for the comment but rather used the video to restate his anti-vaccination position.

The protesters in their thousands make their way through the Sydney CBD on Saturday afternoon  

'Do you think this lockdown will be extended because of more cases? They just want us to get vaccinated,' he said

'In my opinion I don't want to get vaccinated. If you want to get vaccinated that is completely fine but why force it upon people.' 

He also added he doesn't want to shy away from the controversy because it has actually upped his follower count. 

'For all of these fake accounts in Japan that are making TikToks, thank you so much. Thank you so much for the publicity,' he said.

'I have 3,500 people requesting to follow me on both accounts so thank you'.  

'We were lockdown for six to eight weeks and cases still increased so we went out there to say what we think'. 

Thousands of protesters not wearing masks stand in front of a line of police in front of Town Hall in Sydney  

Reception to his response video was mixed with some agreeing with his position.

Others, however, were critical saying the protest only did more damage. 

'As a small business suffering, the actions taken yesterday put my business at risk of not being able to get back to work sooner with loss of income and more unemployed workers,' one commenter said. 

'You seem like a nice guy, who sadly contributed to harming and making things worse for freedom, health and small businesses ... The protest was not the brightest idea to achieve your goal'. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dandachli for comment. 

Some 57 people have been charged and 90 fines issued after more than 3000 protesters marched through Sydney's CBD on Saturday, demanding an end to the city's lockdown which is entering its fifth week.

A 33-year-old Surry Hills man and a 36-year-old man from Edensor Park faced court on Sunday after they allegedly struck a police horse during the protest.

The Edensor Park park man was also charged with assaulting a police officer.

More arrests are expected after a special strike force of detectives was set up to identify those who breached coronavirus restrictions to attend.

NSW Police said they have received 5000 tip-offs and identified more than 200 people who attended.

They are asking members of the public to upload any videos or photos of the protest to CrimeStoppers to track down more.

The crowds threw ink at one officer as he was stationed next to the a barrier in the Sydney CBD 

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon denied officers were taken by surprise by the protest, saying they had been preparing for the event for a fortnight.

'What took us by surprise and what disappoints me greatly is the level of violence that people were prepared to use, that was unprecedented,' he said.

Some 73 people were fined and six people were arrested in Victoria for attending the protest.

Seven organisers could be charged with incitement after they were warned by police on Friday not to attend.

'They will be getting a knock on the door from us, they will be receiving fines, and they will be charged with appropriate offences,' Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said.