A military arms convention in Melbourne was marred by violence during an anti-war protest on Wednesday. Demonstrators clashed with police, launching bottles, rocks, and even horse manure.
According to police reports, several officers were targeted with liquid irritants, reminiscent of acid. In response, authorities resorted to pepper spray, flashbangs, and rubber bullets—tools meant to cause discomfort without severe harm.
The protest was spearheaded by Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars, resulting in 24 officers needing medical attention and 39 individuals arrested for various offenses, including assault and arson.
Con Chronis/AAP/AP
Reports indicated that some protestors were also assaulted, further complicating the situation, which caused significant road closures and traffic disruptions.
Victoria Police expressed their disapproval of the demonstrators’ actions, noting the behavior was unacceptable.
Approximately 1,800 officers were dispatched to manage the event at the convention center, hosting the Land Forces International Land Defense Exposition until Friday, where around 1,200 protesters had gathered by midday.
Although police horses were targeted, thankfully, no serious injuries were reported among the animals.
Joel Carret/AAP Image/AP
The crowd’s aggression was palpable as they hurled various items, including tomatoes, at both police and their mounted units. A noted incident involved a mounted officer striking a protester with a riding crop, while riot police pushed demonstrators away from the venue.
Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton criticized the protesters’ actions, calling them hypocritical for promoting anti-war sentiments while engaging in violent behavior. He emphasized that this was the largest deployment of the state police force since the World Economic Forum in 2000.
Jasmine Duff, co-convenor of Students for Palestine, countered by condemning the police’s heavy-handed tactics, claiming they were excessively forceful. She highlighted the dangers of using pepper spray against demonstrators.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in, urging protesters to act respectfully and promote peace, stating, “You don’t show your opposition to defense equipment by throwing things at police.”
The AMDA Foundation, responsible for the convention, opted not to comment on the protests. This biennial event attracts arms industry representatives from Australia, the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Notably, protests during the 2022 convention in Brisbane were far more subdued.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press