2024 Melbourne Land Forces Expo protests
The 2024 Melbourne Land Forces Expo protests are an ongoing series of protests that started on 11 September outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre against the 2024 Land Forces defence exposition, a large defence industry event in Australia. The protests were motivated by opposition to Israel in the Israel-Hamas war.
According to Victoria Police, it was the largest deployment of officers since the S11 protest in 2000. 42 people were arrested in connection with the protests[1] and between 50 and 100 were injured at the protests.[2]
Events
[edit]In anticipation of the event, police were granted extended powers under the Terrorism Act.[3] Estimates of the number of protests range from 1,200 to 3,000 people.[4] The protests mainly centred on the Spencer Street Bridge in the Melbourne CBD.[3] Protesters police had feces, rocks, eggs and rotten tomatoes thrown at them.[3] They also set bins on fire and erected barricades.[5] Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters.[6]
Reactions
[edit]- Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese condemned protesters for "throwing things at police".[7]
- Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton said of the protests “They come here to protest against war, so presumably anti-violence, and the only way I can describe them is a bunch of hypocrites. Their conduct today was absolutely appalling.”[3]
- Greens politician Ellen Sandell called for an inquiry into excessive force used by police.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Police maintain presence at Melbourne defence expo as human rights groups condemn 'excessive' force". ABC News. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ Kelly, Cait; Press, Australian Associated (2024-09-12). "Up to 100 anti-war protesters injured outside Melbourne weapons expo, advocates say, as police accused of 'riot-type' response". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ a b c d Cowie, Melissa Cunningham, Cameron Houston, Tom (2024-09-11). "Police chief lashes 'hypocritical' protesters as city prepares for more unrest". The Age. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Reasons why violent chaos erupted in Melbourne". www.9news.com.au. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ Groch, Lachlan Abbott, Rachael Dexter, Alex Crowe, Cassandra Morgan, Sherryn (2024-09-12). "Police expand barricades, search protesters on subdued day two of anti-war demonstration". The Age. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kelly, Cait; Press, Australian Associated (2024-09-12). "Up to 100 anti-war protesters injured outside Melbourne weapons expo, advocates say, as police accused of 'riot-type' response". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ "Thousands protest Land Forces military expo in Melbourne | Red Flag". redflag.org.au. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ "Horse manure, bottles thrown as police and protesters clash outside weapons expo". SBS News. Retrieved 2024-09-12.