Cops and protesters clash as Melbourne homeless camp is forcibly moved

TEMPERS have flared on the streets of Melbourne, where protesters and cops are engaged in a fevered confrontation.

FIVE people have been arrested after police moved in to forcibly remove homeless people from Melbourne’s CBD, prompting fiery clashes in the streets.

Protesters had been trying to block the forced removal of those living in a makeshift camp in Flinders Street, which came under attack during the Australian Open.

The Melbourne City Council gave those living in the camp 24 hours to leave on Monday, warning they could face arrest if they did not comply.

A rough sleeper tries to kick a police officer as they remove her from Flinders Street. Picture: Nicole Garmston

However, after attempts to move the group on peacefully, police moved in on Wednesday afternoon to physically remove them.

Four of those arrested were protesters, not rough sleepers, police say. The homeless person who was arrested will be charged with public drunkenness. A female protester was arrested for assaulting a police officer after she allegedly punched a male officer in the back of the head.

Another three protesters were arrested for a range of offences including assaulting a police officer, throwing objects at officers, resisting police and one other for public drunkenness.

Three officers were injured but only suffered minor cuts and bruises.

One female protestor was carried away after placing a tarp in the middle of the street and laying down on top of it.

She was carried away by police shortly after this. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The Herald Sun reports those evicted from the site vowed they would be “back in two days”.

An estimated 60 officers were on site, many of whom formed a line in front of the campsite.

Flinders Street has been closed to traffic, which has caused chaos for motorists in the city.

The camp is set up outside one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, Flinders Street Station, and council has served the eviction so scaffolding can be erected in order for construction works to take place.

Protesters armed with signs such as “sleeping rough is not a crime” have been on site throughout the day, aiding those who have been sleeping there in attempting to block the forced removal.

Police arrest a person after the scenes turned fiery. Picture: Alex Coppel.

One of the activists, Ken, told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell it was a peaceful protest.

“The reason I’m here is to support the people that are here,” he said.

“All us of here ... it’s peaceful and non violent resistance to illegitimate orders to move on.”

He said sleeping rough was not a criminal offence.

“I can only speak for myself, what I’m saying is there’s currently no law against either being homeless in the city of Melbourne or to be sleeping on the street,” he said.

“So I find that there’s no cause to move people on.”

Protesters descended upon Flinders Street on Wednesday morning, after a social media call put out by the Homeless Persons Union Victoria.

On @9NewsAUS at 4pm, one of our @9NewsMelb cameramen caught up in violence outside Flinders St Station. @maddieslattery has the story pic.twitter.com/vvkkl6mVi3

— Davina Smith (@DavinaSmith9) February 1, 2017

Homeless person shouting at police as they prepare to move in on the campsite at Flinders Street @abcnews @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/IGVBxdBjpY

— James Dean (@JamesDeanNOW) February 1, 2017

The group was initially scheduled to be moved on Monday morning and transitional housing found for them which the union said had not happened.

It blasted the removal as a “PR stunt designed to appease a concerned public.

“The Flinders St community will be moved on this morning as renovations begin on the station,” the union posted on Facebook on Sunday.

Crowds of people look on as police move in to move rough sleepers. Picture: Kylie Else

“People there tonight said no one has been there since the announcement on Friday and offered them the transitional housing the government said would be immediately provided.

“Members of the HPUV and others will be there to bear witness to this removal ... Please join us if you can and capture this.”

The issue arose during the Australian Open, when thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas descended upon Melbourne.

Flinders Street Station is the main public transport arrival point for those travelling to the international tennis event at Rod Laver Arena.

At least one person was arrested and taken away in a divisional van. Picture: Kylie Else

American visitor Jack Fielding told the Herald-Sun: “I’m from (Washington) DC, and I’ve never seen anything as bad as this. You can’t walk 250 metres without being hassled for money.

“It’s not a good look for Melbourne.

“It doesn’t look like the world’s most liveable city from what I’ve seen so far.”

But, in response, an open letter from the chief executives of 36 agencies working with rough sleepers urged the media not to vilify them.

“Vilifying people sleeping rough does not help them, splashing the faces of people in crisis in the paper only further stigmatises and isolates them, and fuels public fear and resentment,” the letter said.

Housing Minister Martin Foley said 20 or so “genuine homeless” people still outside the station would be offered accommodation and access to intensive support services for two years.

He said 15 of the group had already been placed in housing, with another four going into residential rehabilitation services.

Mr Foley said homelessness was not just an issue for Melbourne, citing the recent census in Sydney that showed the city had 487 rough sleepers. Supporters of the homeless who gathered outside the camp on Wednesday hoped the package would be delivered in full.

Social media users reacted largely with disapproval over the violent scenes.

irony is when police clear out homeless people on flinders st melb & real estate agents have monopoly on housing so 100's of houses r empty

— sez (@eschebone) February 1, 2017

Homeless people being pushed from Flinders St echoes PM @TurnbullMalcolm whose cut over $500million to homeless services. Shame! #auspol

— Mahla (@mahla_c) February 1, 2017

wait so you can clear out the homeless camp on flinders street but you can't provide them with homes how is that a solution? @ vic police

— the last jedi (@civilwade) February 1, 2017

- With AAP