Dozens of anti-war protesters were arrested on Wednesday after a violent clash with police outside the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Melbourne, Australia.
The protest, which attracted around 1,200 participants, turned tumultuous as demonstrators hurled rocks, horse manure, and bottles containing corrosive substances at law enforcement. In response, police employed stun grenades, pepper spray, and hard foam baton rounds.
The confrontations led to the arrest of 39 individuals on charges including assault, obstruction, arson, and blocking roadways. Two dozen police officers required medical attention for injuries sustained during the unrest, and several police horses were also targeted by protesters.
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Organized by groups such as Students for Palestine and the Wage Peace – Disrupt War coalition, the protest aimed to highlight opposition to the defense industry’s involvement in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s call for peaceful protest, the event escalated into violence, with protesters setting fires, disrupting traffic, and pushing dumpsters towards police lines.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton of Victoria Police condemned the protesters’ actions, calling them “hypocrites” for opposing war while engaging in violent behavior. The police operation, involving approximately 1,800 officers, was the largest in Melbourne since 2000.
The three-day defense exhibition, which is set to host over 1,000 exhibiting organizations from 31 countries, has become a focal point for anti-war activism in Australia, with many protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
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