Protesters rally at state parliament; war heroes voice anger

Pro-Palestine demonstrators have gathered on the steps of parliament to protest against the “glorification of war” on Anzac Day after war heroes and army veterans slammed the plans as “disrespectful”.

Swathes of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered on the steps of Victorian parliament on Thursday to protest the “glorification of war” on Anzac Day.

Hundreds of people congregated to call for an end to the war in Israel, while also calling to remember the “overlooked frontier wars in Australian history”.

It comes after war heroes and army veterans unequivocally slammed the plans for rallies at several city locations.

Pro-Palestine protesters on the steps of Parliament House. Picture: David Caird

Pro-Palestine supporters leave Parliament House to march down Bourke St. Picture: David Caird

A demonstrator call for an end to the war in Israel. Picture: David Caird

After marching to the State Library, protesters clashed with police and several chased after a reporter, forcing officers to form a barricade.

Protest organiser Tasnim Sammak said while some may think demonstrators were “attacking” Anzacs, she said that was not their message.

Palestine protester on Anzac Day. Picture: David Caird

Pro-Palestine demonstrators gather at the State Library.

The protest moves down Bourke St. Picture: David Caird

Police speak to a protester on Bourke St. Picture: David Caird

“Our message is that war has caused tragedy and war had caused destruction and loss of life, including soldiers who are killed in war, and who go and are sent to fight the war of the war profiteers and the war mongers, and in this moment, there are war mongers who want further war,” she said.

“We should commemorate the soldiers in a way that learns the lessons of history.

“When we say lest we forget, we want to never forget what led to World War I and make sure that we’re not in that position in the present moment, so that history doesn’t repeat itself.”

Protesters hold up trams on Bourke St. Picture: David Caird

Protesters clash with police outside the State Library.

Police speak to protesters on Bourke St. Picture: David Caird

War heroes’ anger over plans for protests

Activist groups had sparked the anger of war heroes by planning to camp out at the University of Melbourne on Thursday with sleeping bags and tents while demanding the tertiary institution “cut all weapons ties”.

They were also tipped to attend several other CBD locations throughout the morning.

The UniMelb for Palestine group wrote on social media: “Support the encampment, Anzac Day Our way. Solidarity with Gaza”.

RSL Victoria president Dr Robert Webster said the series of protests on Anzac Day was “disrespectful” to Australian war veterans.

“I have no issue with them having peaceful demonstrations, but what comes along with that is the right to respect other people,” Dr Webster said.

“They’re choosing to disrespect the veterans of this country who treat tomorrow as our national day, that to me is the issue.”

Activists planned to rally at several city locations on Anzac Day. Picture: Diego Fedele

Dr Webster said he wanted to ensure that marches and Dawn Services were safe for everyone.

“It’s going to upset veterans if their day is interrupted.”

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victoria president Bob Elworthy said Anzac Day should be “left alone”.

“They have the right to protest, but I don’t respect them protesting on Anzac Day,” Mr Elworthy said.

“Anzac Day is not about glorifying war, we’re paying respect to those who put themselves in harm’s way so that people can protest.”

War veteran Lucas Moon said protesters could choose a “better day” to express their message. “If they have to protest, they can give their message peacefully and not disrupt the march and stand to the side,” Mr Moon said.

“These protesters forget the reason they can express their opinion and express their views is because of the men and women, who have defended their freedom.”

University of Melbourne Provost Professor Nicola Phillips said the university understood a small group of students would exercise their right to protest at its Parkville campus on Anzac Day.

“The university has a longstanding tradition of hosting an Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Parkville campus cenotaph,” Prof Phillips said.

“The university does not support the exercise of freedom of speech when the speech undermines the capacity of individuals to participate fully in the university.

“Freedom of speech is respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and is central to our values and identity.

“The university welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus, provided it does not extend to violence, threat or intimidation.”

RSL Victoria president Dr Robert Webster says the series of planned protests on Anzac Day is ‘disrespectful’ to Australian war veterans. Picture: Brendan Beckett

In a statement, a University of Melbourne spokeswoman said students were “exercising their right to protest”.

“The University of Melbourne has no links to the Israel Defence Forces,” she said.

“Freedom of speech is respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and is central to our values and identity.

“The University welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus, provided it does not extend to violence, threat or intimidation.”

The spokeswoman said the safety of staff, students and visitors were “paramount”.

“The university does not support the exercise of freedom of speech when the speech undermines the capacity of individuals to participate fully in the university, is unlawful, prejudices the fulfilment by the university of its duty to foster the safety and wellbeing of staff and students, or unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university.

“The University of Melbourne is a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith community made up of more than 80,000 students and staff combined, where a wide range of views exist.

“All perspectives are welcome but these must be expressed in a respectful way, so that everyone can fully participate in university life.

“The University of Melbourne deplores and actively stands against all forms of racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

University of Melbourne was set to be one of the protest sites on Anzac Day. Picture: David Geraghty

Victoria Police said they were aware of at least three planned protests across town on Anzac Day and had boosted patrols for several city locations.

This included the University of Melbourne in Parkville.

“Victoria Police closely monitors protest intelligence in the lead up to major events and days of significance,” a statement said.

“We are aware of a number of unrelated rallies and events occurring throughout the CBD across Thursday.

“We are well-prepared and resourced to respond should any protest activity require our attendance.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said: “The situation has been aggravated by deep moral confusion within university administrations in failing to understand in real life situations where free speech ends and abuse, harassment and intimidation begins.”

Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria, who are organising some of the protests, remained adamant they would not disrupt services.

“We are not planning any actions to disrupt services. We are participating in an anti-war picnic and supporting an anti-war protest,” a group spokesman said.

“We are elevating an anti-war message (on Anzac Day), as standing against war is one of the most important lessons and traditions to have come out of World War I.”