Activists rally outside court as Land Forces protest hearings begin

Anti-war demonstrators have gathered outside Melbourne Magistrates’ Court as hearings loom for dozens of people charged over violent clashes during the Land Forces expo.

Land Force protesters and supporters leave Melbourne Magistrate’ Court after the hearing. Picture: David Crosling

Protesters and police gathered outside a Melbourne court ahead of a mass hearing for dozens of people charged over violent clashes at the Land Forces exposition.

Many demonstrators wore keffiyehs, a symbol of the Palestinian movement, and carried anti-wars signs as they lined up outside Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

“The warmongers are the real criminals,” one sign read.

There was a sizeable police presence on the steps of the court, with one officer filming protesters.

More than 100 arrests were made after violence erupted between protesters and police outside the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition at Melbourne Convention Centre in September.

More than 30 protesters charged over the violence along with their supporters filled the courtroom on Thursday, as Magistrate Donna Bakos dealt with their cases one-by-one.

Some had their charges withdrawn but the majority of cases were adjourned for further preliminary hearings next year.

Land Force protesters and supporters leave Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday Picture: David Crosling

Outside court after the hearing, one protester, Max Travis, accused police of using excessive force.

“They did what they did at the protest,” he said.

“They grabbed me, they threw me to the ground, they used force.

“That’s what police do.”

In a statement, Victoria Police defended its actions and said the behaviour of protesters was “violent and completely unacceptable”.

“Victoria Police stands by the actions of its officers who showed exceptional professionalism,” a spokesperson said.

The three-day exposition, previously held in Brisbane, attracted hundreds of defence companies from around the world to showcase military equipment including weaponry.

A military tank was secretly delivered under a cloak of darkness.

City streets were brought to a standstill and roadways blocked as up to 1500 demonstrators gathered outside the convention centre on September 11.

Police were pelted with horse manure, rocks and eggs during clashes, while protesters were doused in pepper spray and stun grenades and foam bullets were discharged in response.

Dozens of officers and protesters were injured, with police labelling the actions of demonstrators as “appalling”.

But police were accused of a heavy-handed response, with Melbourne Activist Legal Support criticising officers for “multiple incidents of excessive force” and calling for an independent probe into the policing operation.

There were 89 arrests on the day with protesters charged with various offences including assaulting, obstructing and hindering police, assault, arson and blocking roadways.

Some arrests were made in recent weeks after police identified demonstrators in CCTV footage and executed search warrants.