Melbourne on Edge: Massive Anti-War Protest Set to Challenge Weapons Expo in Historic Mobilization

Victoria police have established a security perimeter for an upcoming event anticipated to draw around 25,000 activists. The enhanced measures aim to ensure safety and manage crowds effectively during the significant gathering.

P24 News Media

December 18, 2024

1 minute

Melbourne on Edge: Massive Anti-War Protest Set to Challenge Weapons Expo in Historic Mobilization

India

In Melbourne, a significant gathering of approximately 25,000 demonstrators is anticipated as the city prepares for a weapons expo this Wednesday. Early signs of unrest have already emerged, with reports of vandalism targeting local hotels and disruptions to traffic flow as protests commenced earlier than anticipated.

Law enforcement authorities have responded by dispatching additional police from neighboring regions to manage the situation. This event could potentially mark the largest demonstration in Victoria since the tumultuous protests that accompanied the World Economic Forum in 2000, which resulted in over 100 arrests—a rare occurrence for Melbourne at the time.

The wave of protests began on Friday evening, preceding the official start of the Land Forces expo scheduled for Wednesday. Demonstrators vandalized hotels with red paint and obstructed traffic during protests that unfolded on Saturday. On Sunday, a contingent of Extinction Rebellion activists obstructed Montague Street, a key thoroughfare near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the expo is set to take place.

Victoria police conveyed their plans for a robust presence throughout the lead-up to the expo, highlighting that the operation would be one of the most extensive in recent decades. Concurrently, around 1,500 individuals participated in a pro-Palestine rally in the central business district of Melbourne, which originated at the State Library Victoria.

According to police reports, a smaller faction of protesters became involved in a confrontation with an individual on Bourke Street. The altercation resulted in allegations of assault and property damage. Responding officers were also reportedly assaulted during the incident, leading to the arrest of a 20-year-old man from Craigieburn and a 49-year-old man from Broadmeadows. Both individuals have been released but are expected to face charges related to assault and resisting police.

In preparation for the Wednesday expo, hundreds of police officers have been redirected from regional assignments to provide assistance. A visible police presence has been established in and around the venue, with officers stationed at all entry and exit points. Additionally, a protective barrier has been constructed around the event, which is likely to draw significant activism from the public.

In a bid to secure the area, police have deployed surveillance tarps around the fencing, limiting visibility into the venue. Under anti-terrorism legislation, officers will be granted enhanced powers to conduct searches of individuals and vehicles in the vicinity of the event.

The biennial Land Forces International Land Defence Expo, which previously took place in Brisbane, attracts defense personnel from across the globe to showcase various military technologies and weaponry. This three-day event is expected to feature more than 800 domestic and international companies, presenting an array of military assets, including tanks, heavy-duty trucks, and semi-automatic firearms. Notably, one military tank was delivered discreetly under the cover of darkness at 3 AM on Saturday.

Activist groups such as Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars have announced intentions to block the expo’s opening, claiming they successfully interrupted weapon deliveries during a “peaceful blockade” on Saturday. Bella Beiraghi, co-chair of Blockade, emphasized that young activists from around the nation are converging on Melbourne to impede the event’s inauguration, stating their opposition to the devastation caused by war.

Victoria's police minister, Anthony Carbines, has issued a stern warning to those intending to incite disorder during the event, assuring that law enforcement will take decisive action. “If your purpose is to create disruption… if you come here to act foolishly, expect swift consequences from the Victorian police,” he stated during a recent press conference.

With additional police reinforcements arriving early in the week, local authorities aim to ensure safety and order during the expo. Meanwhile, Melbourne’s lord mayor, Nicholas Reece, has urged both protesters and residents navigating the city to maintain composure, underscoring Melbourne's proven ability to successfully host large-scale events, even amidst rising tensions surrounding the weapons expo.