Army of protesters to cause chaos ahead of weapons expo
Up to 25,000 activists are set to cause chaos around Melbourne from today to disrupt the controversial Land Forces expo, with protesters already vandalising hotels and blocking traffic.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An army of protesters are set to cause chaos around Melbourne from today to disrupt a controversial weapons exhibition.
Some protest activity linked to the controversial Land Forces expo took place on Saturday, with hotels vandalised, traffic blocked and two arrests made.
Ahead of what will be one of the largest police operations in decades, Victoria Police officers erected a ring of steel around the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ahead of the weapons exhibition, which is also expected to attract up to 25,000 activists.
Hundreds of police officers began patrolling the site on Saturday and the fence – which stretched several kilometres – was covered in tarps to hide operations inside.
Protest action kicked off earlier than anticipated, when, on Friday night, hotels believed to be occupying defence personnel were vandalised with red paint.
At least one military tank was discretely escorted into the site about 3am on Saturday before a woman caused traffic chaos on a freeway exit ramp that afternoon.
The Kensington woman chained herself to the outside of a vehicle dumped on the Montague St exit ramp about 2pm which affected traffic for hours.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said anyone looking to cause trouble, block traffic or threaten community safety would be swiftly dealt with by police.
“If you’re coming to this event to be an idiot and cause trouble – stay away,” he said.
“Police have been granted special powers for this event and they won’t hesitate to use them to keep people safe.”
But the warning hasn’t deterred activist group Disrupt Land Forces
A coalition of up to 50 activist groups, including Students for Palestine, Disrupt Wars and Weapons out of Naarm, will form the giant army of protesters.
The huge group – who have created a public fighting fund – said the warnings would not deter them.
“There will be a truth-telling ceremony, rallies, protests, motorcades, vigils and raves, all focused on bringing the public’s attention to this massive weapons sales event,” a spokeswoman said.
When asked why the group would cause so much disruption, the spokeswoman said the “reason was simple”.
“We need to stop funding the war machine. Companies such as Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Hanwha, Thales, NIOA will all be displaying their latest wares – weapons used to main and murder people all over the globe,” she said.
More than 1200 officers from across the state are this week being brought in to police and patrol the site.
Those officers include members of the highway patrol, public order response team, mounted branch and search and rescue squads.
Police on Saturday escorted dozens of trucks carrying shipping containers into the site which are believed to have contained several of the weapons on display.
A beefed-up police escort ushered at least one huge military tank into the site in the dead of night.
Hundreds of officers were brought in on buses and many of them patrolled every entry and exit point over the weekend.
They are expected to monitor the area at all hours of the day and night this week.
Those officers have been granted extra powers to send away those who are wearing masks if they suspect they are trying not to be identified.
Police, using anti-terror legislation, also have the authority to search any person or vehicle within the marked area.
Protest groups are planning further disruptions as early as today, with “several creative events” scheduled including a motorcade on Monday.
But the mass of protesters aren’t expected to gather at the site until Wednesday, which police fear could be as large as the World Economic Forum of 2000.
More than 100 people were arrested at that major rally in scenes rarely seen in Australia at that time.
Tuesday will see a rally held at the site before the 25,000-strong crowd form a picket line from early on Wednesday morning.
Several well-known activists, including the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network Nasser Mashni, will address the crowds that morning.
Disrupt Land Forces, the driver of the protests, has also accumulated almost $20,000 in donations which will go towards the “week-long festival of resistance”, with one person alone donating $10,000 to the cause.
The funds raised will go towards equipping its medics and care team with essential items, providing transport and accommodation for those attending the rallies.
Massive police presence ahead of controversial event
Police will this week bring in more than 1200 officers from across the state to prepare for and patrol what could be an ugly and physical demonstration.
The 2024 Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition will attract hundreds of keen defence personnel from across the globe to showcase weapons and technology.
Huge military tanks, heavy-duty trucks and semi automatic machine guns are expected to be on display from Wednesday to Friday.
The Australian Army, defence, government and academics will join 995 exhibiting organisations from 31 nations.
There will also be 77 conferences, presentations and symposiums held with $120,000 in innovation awards to be handed out. Organisers are expecting this year’s event to be nearly a third larger than the 2022 event.
Preparations in and around the convention centre begun late last week which saw hundreds of police patrolling the site on Saturday.
Several kilometres of fences were erected around the centre and covered with black tarps to prevent the public from peering inside.
Cars along several roads and laneways were diverted and turned away as they prepared for more stock to be driven in, with dozens of police seen at every entry and exit point of the building. Some police were even seen patrolling the Yarra River nearby on a large boat on Saturday morning as bus loads of police entered the centre through the loading docks at Normanby Rd.
Despite the large security presence and threat of disruptions from protesters, the CEO of AMDA Foundation – the group organising Land Forces – Justin Giddings said he was honoured the “wider land defence industry and community have shown such strong support”. “We trust that everyone at Land Forces will find their time spent was both productive and enjoyable,” he said.
Cost of living is biting, but getting inked is no longer taboo
Police officers, teachers, doctors and lawyers are among the many Melburnians choosing to get inked up for the first time, but the cost of living crunch is leaving some tattoo artists feeling the pinch.
Reality stars reveal where to find an Aussie block with gold on it
A pair of TV stars have revealed the signs that property hunters can use to spot a bush block where you can find gold nuggets. Find out where and what to look for.