Anti-war protesters in Melbourne faced obstacles from authorities as they attempted to access Clarendon Street from Yarra Promenade, leading to a redirection around the casino towards the expo from the south. Police conducted thorough searches of protesters at Whiteman Street, utilizing metal-detecting wands to scan for weapons and enforcing a directive for those wearing face coverings to vacate the area. The atmosphere grew tense as one protester experienced aggressive questioning and physical confrontation with the media, leading to a dispersal of the crowd around 11 am.
Inside the police-enforced perimeter, lobbyists, weapons manufacturers, and military officials attended the Australian Army’s symposium, where Chief General Simon Stuart addressed the need for a cultural shift within the military in light of recent events. Despite relatively peaceful scenes outside the expo on the day in question, the previous day had been marred by violent confrontations between protesters and police, with projectiles such as horse feces, rocks, and a mild acid being directed at law enforcement. Mounted police and officers in riot gear worked to contain the unrest as fires were lit in bins and barricades were erected near the Spencer Street Bridge.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines defended officers’ actions as a display of extreme restraint, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest while warning of potential further arrests following a review of protest footage. Fire Rescue Victoria is investigating reports of acid being thrown at officers, with Disrupt Land Forces claiming responsibility for using butyric acid as a protest tactic. The police union condemned the violent nature of the protests, characterizing the turnout as individuals seeking conflict rather than advocating for a cause.
Melbourne Activist Legal Support criticized police actions as excessive and potentially infringing on human rights, noting the heightened tensions that arose in response to police crowd control measures. The Australian Democracy Network expressed concern over reports of capsicum spray being used on compliant protesters, emphasizing the need to uphold human rights obligations in law enforcement responses. The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-operative voiced serious concerns over police violence towards protesters exercising their democratic right to protest, calling for accountability and an end to excessive force tactics.
Disrupt Land Forces reiterated their call for an arms embargo and an end to weapons sales to Israel, denouncing the alleged use of force by police during the protests. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell echoed these sentiments, demanding an independent inquiry into police behavior and the use of pepper spray at the rally. As tensions simmered following the demonstrations, various advocacy groups and legal organizations continued to raise questions about the balance between public safety and the right to peaceful protest, urging authorities to uphold human rights standards in future responses to activist gatherings.
