Key Points
- Demonstrations against a military weapons expo in Melbourne continued for a third straight day on Thursday.
- Protesters say weapons on display in the convention have been used by the Israeli military on civilians in Gaza.
- Violent clashes broke out on Wednesday, including police firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters.
More criticism has been aimed at protesters by politicians following violent clashes with police outside a major weapons convention, as activists remained defiant in their resolve to disrupt the event.
Anti-war protesters staged a third straight day of demonstrations opposing the Land Forces weapons expo held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Police were out in force early on Thursday, maintaining no-go lines near the convention centre ahead of visitors to the expo arriving. Demonstrators returned, although the scene remained peaceful.
“Despite the incredibly shocking violence that [protesters] encountered yesterday (from police), hundreds turned out again to confront the arms deals going down at Land Forces,” organiser Caroline Da Silva said.
Demonstrators protested defence supply companies Hanwha and Elbit during the Land Forces expo. Source: AAP / Con Chronis
Victoria Police arrested five men and seized bottles of red paint, marbles and bags of small rocks used to create obstacles for the police horses.
Detectives are also investigating after a man was allegedly assaulted and had urine and faeces tipped on him as he tried to enter the expo.
City workers faced disruptions to their commutes home after hundreds of protesters picketed outside the offices of defence contractors Hanwha Defence and Elbit Systems blocking access to cars and trams along Bourke Street.
“It is the primary provider of death and destruction to the Palestinian people,” rally speakers said.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said peaceful protesters who were caught up in violence at the rally “only have (themselves) to blame”.
“It would be naive to think that if you’ve got yourself caught up in troubles down there, then you have probably put yourself in the wrong place,” Carbines said.
Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said peaceful protesters who got caught up in violence during the demonstration “only had [themselves] to blame”. Source: AAP / James Ross
Violent and chaotic confrontations between protesters and police broke out on Wednesday, with 42 people arrested and charged with assaulting, hindering and obstructing police, arson and blocking roadways.
Wheelie bins were set alight and thrown towards police barricades, while horse manure, food-grade acid, glass bottles and baked bean can “missiles” were launched at officers.
Riot officers returned fire on the demonstrators with rubber bullets, tear gas and flash-bang devices.
Police said 27 officers were treated for minor injuries, while Da Silva said there were eight to 10 times the number of activists injured in the melee.
Protesters say weapons on display inside the convention centre have been used by the Israeli military on civilians in Gaza.
Police commissioner Shane Patton called protesters “hypocritical” and warned the largest deployment of officers in two decades will be prepared for any event for the duration of the conference.
Premier Jacinta Allan said she was particularly concerned to hear some protesters had come from interstate.
“When you come … to protest carrying rocks, carrying bottles and balloons filled with urine … your intent is not to peacefully protest,” she said.
Federal government minister Tanya Plibersek labelled protesters who engaged in acts of violence “disgraceful”.
“I don’t know how you call yourself a peace protester and turn up and start throwing missiles at people who are just out there doing their jobs,” she told Sky News.
Carbines said protesters’ behaviour on Wednesday was on a separate level to regular marches which have opposed the war in Gaza.
“There’s protest activity, then there’s just bar brawls and thugs, and that’s what we saw yesterday,” he said.
Opposition leader John Pesutto called for police to have wider powers to move on protesters and compel them to remove face coverings, amid what he described as the “normalisation” of protest violence in Victoria.
