Swarms of anti-police activists to rally in CBD at peak hour on Friday
Police are bracing for peak-hour chaos as hundreds of anti-force activists get set to swarm Melbourne’s CBD, but controversial senator Lidia Thorpe has knocked back an offer to speak at the rally.
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A swarm of anti-police activists who are calling for the abolition of the entire force are tipped to cause peak-hour chaos in the city on Friday afternoon.
Potentially hundreds of protesters will descend on city streets on Friday afternoon “demanding” both Victoria Police and the Australian Border Force cease operations.
The snap rally will see protesters — who have been urged to wear masks — gather at the corner of Spencer and Collins streets in the city from 5pm on Friday.
The activist group believes officers have been “brutalising” protesters at regular city rallies, including at last month’s violent clash during another city protest.
The shooting death of a man in Footscray at the hands of two officers is expected to be a core argument for the abolishment of the force.
“Abolish the police. Our safety — in our hands,” the activists’ flyer reads.
“Police don’t keep us safe — police protect profit and power.
“From brutalising protesters to deadly force — this is business as usual for Victoria Police.”
One serving police officer was left speechless at the group’s aim to abolish the force.
“I can’t even comment on it. It hurts my brain to read,” the officer said.
“Imagine if we were able to do what these people actually deserve. It’s ridiculous.”
Senator Lidia Thorpe was invited to speak at the rally but is understood to have knocked back the offer.
A poster outlining the list of speakers, which included a “drug user advocate” and a “Palestinian organiser”, appears to have been wiped from social media.
Activists have again been urged to wear masks “to protect yourself from Covid-19 and police surveillance”.
Victoria Police has been granted extra powers in a designated area spanning almost the entire CBD.
They will be permitted to conduct searches for weapons and can request a face covering be removed.
Friday’s rally has the potential to cause serious traffic chaos for those leaving the city at the end of the working day, with cars and trams likely to be affected at some point.
It is not known if the group are planning to march through the city — which could see certain sections of the business district descend into gridlock.
The force said they would have a “visible presence to keep the peace” throughout the city on Friday afternoon.
“Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest lawfully however we expect that they do so peacefully without impacting the broader community,” a statement read.
Last month’s rally, which began as a pro-trans protest before it shifted to an anti-police movement, saw hundreds of activists unexpectedly march down major city streets without warning.
They held signs reading “cops kill queers” and “VicPol protects Nazis” and were particularly riled up at the controversial and deadly police shooting of Abdifatah Ahmed at Footscray.
They blocked trams and slowed the movement of an ambulance and fire truck attempting to navigate through the angered crowd.
Some were seen throwing projectiles at the officers before members fired back with pepper spray.
One lone protester was seen intentionally blocking the path of a car on Swanston St, which reduced the innocent, young, female P-plate driver to tears.
That protester had, just moments earlier, been advocating for all women, including the rights of trans women.
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