‘Arrests, OC spray’: Gaza protest erupts at Melbourne Cup

Protesters have clashed with police at Flemington Racecourse resulting in wild arrest scenes shortly before the Melbourne Cup.

Pro-Palestine activists have clashed with cops outside Flemington Racecourse after staging a protest near an entrance to the Melbourne Cup.

Dramatic vision from the scene showed at least one vehicle and dozens of activists blocking a road while police and other crews attempted to tow a vehicle.

The demonstration began at 11am and “approximately 100 pro-Palestine protesters” attended, according to Victoria Police.

Activists could be heard chanting “free Palestine” and “ceasefire now”.

Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters have descended on the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Picture: X/ @MattH093

Police carried one away. Picture: X/ @MattH093

There were tense scenes. Picture: X/ @MattH093

Matt Hrkac took to X to share footage of the heated scenes.

“Cops trying desperately to clear the road, people continue to walk on,” he wrote.

The road was “completely blocked” before protesters were “dragged aggressively,” threatened with OC spray, and even arrested during the demonstration, according to Mr Hrkac.

Victoria Police told news.com.au a female protester arrived in a white van and climbed onto the roof where she stayed for some time.

They confirmed she and two others were arrested, but not before they were sprayed.

Pro-Palestine protesters are surrounded by police at the perimeter of the Flemington Racecourse on Melbourne Cup Day. Picture: AAP Image/Con Chronis

According to reports from the scene, some protesters were ‘aggressively dragged’. Picture: AAP Image/Con Chronis

Police confirmed some protesters were sprayed and arrested. Picture: AAP Image/Con Chronis

“In the course of managing the non-compliant protesters, police sprayed two of them before they were successfully arrested,” they said.

“The female who was on top of the white van has also since been arrested.

“Police have arranged for the van to be towed away.”

Victoria Police claimed the incident caused traffic issues at an important intersection on Melbourne Cup Day.

“The incident is ongoing and police are still dealing with about 80 protesters,” they said.

Gaza protest erupted at Flemington Racecourse prior to the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Facebook/ Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance

Gaza protest erupts at Melbourne Cup. Picture: X/ @MattH093

It’s understood the gathering dispersed shortly after 1pm.

Last year saw dramatic displays of activism in the hours leading into the Melbourne Cup.

An anti-gambling environmentalist caused a major scare when, at the crack of dawn, he unloaded “1000 litres of oily sludge” onto the Flemington track in protest.

Later that morning, a building site near Flemington was the first target, with a “SOS: Evacuate Manus Now” being dangled from a crane.

And another caused commuter chaos for racegoers 90 minutes before the race that stops the nation, blocking a train track at Ascot Vale with a car emblazoned with what appeared to be pro-refugee slogans.