Pro-trans activists taken into custody after violent counter rally in Melbourne’s CBD
Several hardcore pro-trans protesters have been arrested in dramatic scenes in the city on Saturday after their group fought with police and targeted media covering the chaos.
Several hardcore pro-trans protesters were arrested in dramatic scenes during a counter rally in the city on Saturday.
A 21-year-old Flemington man who allegedly hit a police officer with an umbrella was among four pro-trans activists taken into custody as they marched through CBD streets in response to a women’s rights rally on the steps of Parliament.
Police were seen firing pepper spray at a number of violent protesters who attempted to interfere and damage media cameras with umbrellas.
One protester was seen damaging and stealing a News Corp photographer’s camera gear about 11am on Spring St while three police officers were injured during the demonstration.
The Flemington man has been bailed over his alleged assault on the officer, while police arrested a 19-year-old Wallington woman and a 27-year-old Coburg man for allegedly possessing flares.
A 33-year-old Oakleigh man was also arrested for failing to move on.
The trio were on Saturday afternoon expected to be charged on summons.
“Victoria Police respects the right for peaceful protest however will not tolerate unlawful behaviour,” a spokeswoman for the force said.
“Our top priority was keeping the peace and ensuring the safety of those attending and the broader community.”
She said about 120 people in total attended the rallies.
The crowd of about 80 counter protesters were marching in response to the ‘Women Will Speak’ rally that was held outside Parliament.
About 40 of that crew gathered peacefully on Spring St and were kept separate from the opposing pro-trans group.
Police, including members from the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch Highway Patrol and general duties officers, kept the groups apart with dozens of water barriers placed on the road.
But the pro-trans group, who were dressed in black clothing and wore face coverings, quickly began marching through the city after they realised the barrier was in place.
The group were standing up for the rights of transgender people but their messaging quickly shifted to an anti-police sentiment.
They were heard chanting support for Palestine, among a range of social and political issues.
They hurled abuse at police while some officers had projectiles tossed at them.
Several members of the hardcore group harassed media reporting on the counter protest, with one attempting to swing an umbrella at a journalist and security guard.
Police also conducted a search operation in the CBD on Saturday, but did not find anyone carrying weapons, but fifty people were ordered to remove their face coverings
Both groups dispersed just before 2pm before Spring St reopened to traffic and trams.
Opposition leader Brad Battin said the hundreds of officers deployed on Saturday left other areas under resourced.
“The protests in Melbourne continue to take police away from suburbs and communities that desperately need them,” he said.
“22,000 shifts have been used for protests in Melbourne. That’s 22,000 shifts that aren’t available … to respond to the most violent crimes as they continue to happen.”
Mr Battin said the scenes in which police were allegedly physically targeted were unacceptable.
“Assaulting police is never acceptable, and we must do more to protect them,” he said.
“The Liberal and Nationals will introduce a protest registration system and move on laws to give police the power they need to stop the ongoing violence at protests across our city.”
He said for police to be allegedly targeted on a day where the force was remembering fallen officers Gary Silk and Rodney Miller was shameful.
“On a day where we should be stopping to remember officers who died in the line of duty, it is time to restore community safety, protect businesses and make our police safer,” he added.
“The Allan Labor Government has lost control of our streets. Enough is enough.”
The pro-trans group last week encouraged those planning to attend Saturday’s protest to hide their appearance — or wear “bloc”.
“Even if you’re not planning on doing anything spicy, being covered up gives the people around you protection for the ways they may wish to counter the state by providing cover and anonymity in numbers,” the group said.
“If things get more tense than you expected, bloc gives you anonymity to protect yourself and gives you the freedom to react as you need to.”
The group told their supporters that protecting anonymity was “an act of love”.
“If you find yourself attacked by fascists, bloc protects you from doxxing online, leading to job loss, raids etc,” the group added online.
“Fascism and state repression is scary and confrontational. Protecting peoples anonymity and allowing them to resist and defend themselves is an act of love.
“Besides, don’t you want to scare some fascists?”
The state government was contacted for comment.
Originally published as Pro-trans activists taken into custody after violent counter rally in Melbourne’s CBD
