A protest against a military arms convention in Melbourne turned violent on Wednesday as demonstrators clashed with police, leading to multiple injuries and arrests.
The Land Forces International Land Defense Exposition, being held at a Melbourne convention center through Friday, drew fierce opposition from anti-war groups. The protest, organized by Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars, aimed to disrupt the event and express dissent against the arms industry amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to a police statement, protesters hurled various projectiles at officers, including bottles, rocks, and horse manure. Some demonstrators allegedly sprayed officers with liquid irritants, which police identified as acid in some cases. In response, law enforcement deployed pepper spray, flash distraction devices, and rubber bullets.
The confrontation resulted in at least 24 officers requiring medical treatment. Police arrested 39 protesters on charges ranging from assault to arson and obstructing roadways. "Victoria Police is appalled at the behavior of some of the protesters," the statement declared.
Jasmine Duff, national co-convenor of Students for Palestine, countered police accounts, stating, "They used serious weapons on peace activists that should be banned for use on demonstrators, including pepper spray, which is classified as a chemical weapon." Duff added, "They hit us with batons, including hitting one man so hard he had to go to hospital and they shot us with rubber bullets."
The police estimated about 1,200 demonstrators surrounded the convention center by midday.
Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton defended the officers' use of force, characterizing the protesters as "a bunch of hypocrites" for engaging in violent tactics while purportedly opposing war and violence. The police deployment for the event is reportedly the largest planned operation since Melbourne hosted the World Economic Forum in 2000.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the situation, calling for respect for law enforcement. "People have a right to protest peacefully, but you don't say you're opposed to defense equipment by throwing things at police," Albanese told Seven Network television.
The biennial convention, organized by AMDA Foundation, brings together arms industry representatives from Australia, the US, Asia, and Europe. The organizers declined to comment on the protest activity.
