Pro-Palestine protesters and cops square off outside Dandenong South factory

Police gave pro-Palestine protesters their “first and final warning” before advancing on the crowd outside a weapons manufacturing factory in Melbourne’s southeast.

Pro-Palestinian supporters have squared off with police outside a weapons manufacturer in the southeastern suburbs.

More than 70 protesters donning masks, goggles and head scarfs were forced back by mounted police after swarming outside AW Bell in Dandenong South about 9.30am.

Police told protesters this would be their “first and final warning” to move away from the driveway, before advancing on the crowd.

Video shows some protesters extending middle fingers at officers while others joined in cheers and chants over a megaphone.

It took about 10 minutes for the tension to ease, with police pulling back and protesters clearing out just before 9.40am.

Pro-Palestine protestors square off against police outside a Dandenong South factory. Picture: Fergis Ellis

The casting company is linked to the production of Lockheed Martin systems used across their fleet of aircraft.

The anonymous collective, which self-identifies under the title Weapons Out Of Naarm, wants the company to stop manufacturing in the suburbs and to encourage those in the local community to join the event.

A pro-Palestine sign is draped on the factory gate. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The clash follows a string of early-morning demonstrations in recent months.

As many as 20 uniformed officers guarded the western gate into the business, with a steady stream of officers rolling in throughout the morning.

Police and suspected organisers were seen communicating just after 7.30am.

Despite the scheduled 5.30am arrival, many participants gathered just after 4.30am.

Protesters picket outside the factory. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“We are running on adrenaline,” one protester told the Herald Sun.

In a statement shared to media prior to the protest, organisers said they were hoping to picket outside the Dandenong South business with the “intention of disrupting weapons production”.

“This is the seventh community action, and fourth picket, calling on the owners of the local business to end their contracts that contribute to weapons manufacturing,” the statement read.

Protests outside the facility, and several others around Melbourne, have been the target of picketers for months.

“We will continue to mobilise outside AW Bell, until all the above demands are met,” one anonymous activist said.

A number of AW Bell staff were still able to access the factory despite the picket outside the premises.

The Dandenong community has become accustomed to the rallies. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Protest participants had indicated earlier this morning their action was not aimed at intimidating staff members.

“We are not against the workers, the workers are not at fault,” one protester said.

Commuters driving past the demonstration, and other members of the public, offered a mixture of criticism and support for this morning’s protest.

The Dandenong community has become accustomed to the rallies where it is estimated that there has been at least one event every fortnight.

Staff at businesses nearby the scene were seen watching on and filming the incident.

Specialist “evidence gathering” police walked around the protesters, filming and documenting their every move.