IMARC protesters to be banned from wreaking havoc on Melbourne Cup Carnival
Violent anti-mining protesters planning to wreak havoc on the Melbourne Cup Carnival will face police bans from Flemington racetrack. Authorities are on high alert after 17 more arrests were made as violent clashes marred the third day of the protest.
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Violent anti-mining protesters planning to wreak havoc on the Melbourne Cup Carnival will face police bans from Flemington racetrack.
Police have identified serial protesting pests outside the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and fear they will disrupt Melbourne Cup week starting this Saturday.
These individuals have now been placed under police surveillance and if arrested, could be subject to court issued banning notices from the Flemington Racecourse precinct.
“We are certainly gathering intelligence, looking at people who are perhaps causing trouble and might be looking to cause trouble here (Flemington) at these events,’’ Superintendent Therese Fitzgerald said.
“And we will be in a very strong position to respond.”
Vic police pushing journo â¦@pauldowsley7â© at #IMARCBlockade â¦@australianâ© pic.twitter.com/fJRPBo5YDi
— Tessa Akerman (@TessaAkerman) October 30, 2019
There have been more than 107 arrests so far outside the mining conference, including 17 on Wednesday.
One protester was arrested for covering their face with a scarf, which police alleged was to hide their identity while committing a criminal act.
Two protesters climbed support poles outside the convention centre; one was arrested but the other ran off.
Another two activists were arrested for gluing themselves to the road.
One protester who came from NSW to join the demonstrators faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last night after being arrested twice in two days.
The court heard Timothy Buchanan, 33, became verbally aggressive yesterday morning, grabbing an officer’s vest after ignoring instructions to move on.
Police said the unemployed Newcastle man, who was also arrested outside the convention centre on Tuesday, was an “unacceptable risk of reoffending” and should remain locked up but he was granted bail.
IMARC: Protester Michael Cahill (captured left in the video) said he was “jammed up against a poleâ€.
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 30, 2019
“I couldn’t move. Then they threw me down on the ground. I’m pretty shaken. This is not Australia.â€@theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/U7W74dLE8R
Police vow a no-nonsense approach to anyone planning Flemington protests during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Commander Libby Murphy said early yesterday: “If there is illegal activity and if we are in a position where we charge somebody with certain conditions and have appropriate intelligence that we could put to a court as part of bail conditions, we will certainly ask for that if we think it’s necessary.”
She said it was “quite likely” the same protesters involved in scuffles outside the convention centre would turn up at Flemington.
“We see some of the people who participate in activities and events across the state,’’ she said. “We will be monitoring those people.”
“Overt and covert” officers would patrol any Cup Week protests and drones would be used for the first time during the week-long event, including Monday’s parade through city streets.
Supt Fitzgerald said police would throw “a lot of resources” into protecting race fans during the carnival.
“We want to ensure a very safe event for the city of Melbourne,’’ she said. “Everybody is watching us.”
Two activists have changed tactic and are scaling the poles of the MCEC in protest of an international mining conference @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/hTTZKdCgI9
— Alanah Frost (@akfrost_) October 30, 2019
A breakaway group of protesters have blocked a second entrance to the MCEC. About 40 police officers in a tense stand-off with the group. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/NWGgEttuBu
— Alanah Frost (@akfrost_) October 29, 2019
FRONTLINE FACE OF ANGER
A truck driver, a retired teacher, a medical student, a disability support worker, a sex education liaison and a self employed business consultant: this is the diverse cross section of climate protesters who have spent several days blockading a mining conference in Melbourne.
Despite the group ranging in age, gender, career and political allegiance, they share a love for the environment and the desire for a sustainable future.
The protesters link arms, offer profanity-laden chants in unison, in a show of solidarity to prevent people from attending the international mining conference.
Some of them identify as climate change activists, some are anti-Adani coal mine, others want to free West Papua and others are there to champion Aboriginal rights.
Many of them have taken time off from work and university to attend the protest.
Despite actively taunting and tantalising police for hours, the group claim they are peaceful in nature and allege they are victims of police brutality.
The Herald Sun witnessed Luka Kiernan, 18, being pushed to the ground by a police officer.
“I was taunting one of the business people and then I got shoulder charged by police and pushed to the ground,” he said.
Scuffles emerged throughout the day and protesters were thrown to the ground and arrested.
Police were forced to use capsicum spray multiple times to quell the clashing protest group.
Connor, 20, was caught up in the capsicum spray and said police behaviour was “disgraceful.”
IMARC: 18-yr-old Luka Kiernan (in purple shirt) was pushed to the ground by a police officer.
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
“I was taunting one of the business people and then I got shoulder charged by a police officer and pushed to the ground,†he said. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/gasaAmmRji
“Police are using force against peaceful protesters, it’s a f---ing disgrace,” he said.
“I had my hands up, I’m peaceful.”
Caitlin Morman alleges a police officer assaulted her.
IMARC: Even Greens MP Adam Bandt speaking about the “climate emergency†did not stop protesters from chanting and feuding with police. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/vM5xHDm2XA
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
“An officer scratched my face, pulled off my sunglasses and my mask off my face, and sprayed a pepper can straight in her face.
“I can’t see properly. My whole face is on fire. I didn’t touch the police officers at all.”
Two more activists scaled poles outside the entrance, releasing a “Blockade IMARC” sign before making their way back down to swarms of police, protesters and capsicum spray below.
Organiser Sam Castro was not impressed when police doused the crowd with capsicum spray.
“Police just moved in and used chemical weapons, it was disgusting,” she said.
“This was designed to intimidate people.”
Ms Castro said she would not negotiate with police for future protests.
A makeshift triage centre was set up after many suffered injuries from the capsicum spray.
The protest is fluid in nature, with splinter groups moving around and keeping police on their toes.
Victoria Police Commander Libby Murphy said police were dealing with trying circumstances and commended officers for their “fine restraint” in the face of violence.
IMARC: Police have used capsicum spray to quell the rowdy crowd. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/XVaFvsk60B
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
“We’re very thankful the members were quite measured,” she said.
“Our members have been quite fearful of the actions of protesters.
“We’ve actually tried to negotiate really well and engage with some of the protesters and unfortunately that hasn’t come to fruition.”
Of the footage of 7 News reporter Paul Dowsley appearing to be pushed, Ms Murphy said the video was “not the full story”.
IMARC: Coference attendees are being targeted with abusive chants as they attempt to gain access to the venue. This woman is greeted with the chant: “corporate scum.†@theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/v3mGy6a1uq
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
Cdr Murphy said Mr Dowsley had been asked twice to move.
“He quite adamantly said no. It required us to physically remove him from a particular area.”
At one stage protesters broke away from the main pack and stormed onto Clarendon St in a decoy move, stopping trams and traffic.
IMARC: Protesters jostle with the police. Some have come prepared with face masks, to protect them from capsicum spray. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/oPIGcbRzTi
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
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Riot police chased the group, pushing them back towards the main entrance with help from the mounted brigade.
Greens MP Adam Bandt said we were in the “middle of a climate emergency” and Australians only had a few years to get the “crisis” under control.
Mining conference attendees who were heckled at said the protest was a “waste of police resources”.
“They’re all d---heads,” said Jeff.
“I don’t think many of them would be employed.”