MELBOURNE: Dozens of people have been arrested following violent clashes with police during an anti-war demonstration in Melbourne. The confrontation occurred as protestors targeted the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, a major military hardware sales event in Australia’s second-largest city.
Police expressed their shock and dismay over the protestors’ actions, which included hurling rocks, manure, and bottles filled with acid at officers. In response, protestors accused the police of using excessive force, including flashbang grenades and irritant sprays, to control the aggressive crowd.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence, emphasizing that while Australians have the right to protest, it must be done peacefully. “You don’t oppose defence equipment by throwing things at police,” Albanese told local media. “Our police officers should be respected at all times.”
Approximately 1,200 people participated in the demonstration, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. The protest is aimed at the expo, which is set to host over 1,000 corporations from 31 countries. The event, not open to the public, will feature military, defence, government, scientific, and industry delegations from around the globe.
Activists claimed the weapons on display have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza. Footage from the scene showed dumpsters being pushed toward police lines, fires set across the city, and roads blocked by demonstrators. One activist even climbed on top of a stationary truck.
Victoria State Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton reported that about two dozen officers were treated for injuries and confirmed that 39 individuals had been arrested. Patton criticized the protestors for their alleged hypocrisy, pointing out that they claimed to oppose violence but engaged in violent actions themselves.
In response, demonstrators accused police of using excessive force. Jasmine Duff from Students for Palestine described the police response as “unprecedented,” noting the use of flashbang grenades and pepper spray. Some reports indicated the use of rubber bullets, but Patton clarified that they were actually hard foam baton rounds.
The event saw an estimated A$10 million spent on additional police deployment, with officers brought in from New South Wales. Protest organizers criticized the expenditure, while Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan defended the state’s response. “Any industry deserves the right to hold such events peacefully and respectfully,” she stated.
