Police horses pelted with manure, police officers sprayed with acid as anti-war protest turns ugly
Police Minister Anthony Carbines has accused the Greens of inciting Wednesday’s shocking protest violence, suggesting there will be more arrests as bodycam footage is analysed.
Victoria
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Police Minister Anthony Carbines has accused the Greens of inciting Wednesday’s protest violence, sneering at the party’s call for an inquiry into the tactics and “excessive force” used by Victoria Police.
“They played a role here in inciting violence and inciting bad behaviour, illegal behaviour, criminal behaviour by some of the protesters,” he said.
Mr Carbines also suggested there would be further arrests as police hunt down violent protesters caught on body worn camera footage.
“It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see if there are further arrests in the coming days based on a review of the material that was available yesterday and body worn camera footage from police members,” he said.
“(Police) did a great job yesterday, and all Victorians are very thankful and grateful for their service.”
Following calls from the opposition to reinstate move-on powers, Mr Carbines said the government already “frequently” used powers to move on protesters.
“They can remove those people until peace is restored,” he said.
“They can do that on the summary offences act, and it works very effectively.”
On Wednesday, police arrested 42 protesters as thousands of activists wreaked havoc at the anti-war, anti-Israel rally.
The protesters gathered in the city to rally against the Land Forces expo, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Specialised riot squad officers wielding shields and heavily armed, lined the Spencer Street Bridge and barricaded the entrance to the centre amid the chaos.
Police say they were sprayed with acid.
Twenty seven police officers required medical treatment.
The force said they were disgusted with the behaviour on display.
About 1200 of the estimated 25,000 protesters attended the city by lunchtime on Wednesday.
“Victoria Police is appalled at the behaviour of some of the protesters in attendance at the Land Forces protest in Melbourne’s CBD this morning,” a spokesman said.
“This morning, those police have been pelted with missiles including bottles filled with liquid, rocks, and horse manure whilst trying to protect the attendees of the Land Forces expo, some of whom were also assaulted by protesters.
“Some police have been spat at by protesters, while other officers have been sprayed with a liquid irritant, some of which has been identified as acid.
“A number of police horses are believed to have been targeted by some protesters, who have thrown missiles at them. At this stage we do not believe any of the horses have sustained serious injuries.
“Whilst we respect the right for individuals to protest lawfully, we will not tolerate the behaviour of those who break the law.”
Police horses were forced to walk through fire as volatile protesters hurled debris at the animals.
The mounted branch advanced on the crowd about 10.30am.
Marchers could be heard yelling “get those animals off those horses”.
Two people were placed in handcuffs and a utility vehicle was swarmed by police outside Crown at the Clarendon Rd intersection.
Dozens of police quickly converged on two men driving a white ute filled with kids toys.
It is unknown how the car managed to break through the blockade set up around the intersection.
Protesters tried to intervene during the arrests and were promptly marshalled back by officers.
Riot police fired pellets of tear gas at the activists as they chanted “this is not a police state”.
Demonstrators were forced off the foot bridge connecting Clarendon and Spencer streets.
They pushed rubbish bins and shopping trolleys toward a wall of police officers.
One protester appeared to be covered in blood after police fired a round of rubber bullets.
Some demonstrators set bins and rubbish alight near the entrance of the Spencer Street Bridge.
Debris sat burning in the middle of the road as the stand-off between the crowd and police continued, with some marchers using the wreckage to shield themselves as they hurled drink cans and rubbish at police.
One anti-war protester arrested during fierce clashes along Spencer Street Bridge earlier on Wednesday morning was processed and let go.
Walking out a quieter entry-exit point behind the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Edward told the Herald Sun riot police brought in from NSW had said “just get him” before they tackled him to the floor and handcuffed him.
Dressed in a suit and brandishing white and red face paint, Edward said he had been complying with police commands before he was dragged to the ground.
“I was complying, going backwards when the horses came forward, and then I got tackled by the riot police and I heard they just said ‘just get him’,” he said.
“I was being peaceful, there was a lot of action going on around me, but I was being peaceful, so I don’t understand.
“They were very rough and cuffed me quite tightly.”
He said there was a definite difference between local Victoria Police and the NSW riot police who apprehended him.
Police horses that are part of the Mounted Branch treading through fire as protesters hurl debris at officers attempting to control the crowd of anti-war demonstrators @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/6YmBTcyblV
— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) September 11, 2024
Earlier, protesters hurled rocks, tomatoes and other projectiles at police and horses, while in vile scenes, several masked protesters picked up horse poo and threw it at officers.
In one ugly scene a woman was seen grabbing the reins of a police horse.
Another woman was seen pushing a horse in the face.
The protesters hurled large rocks at officers from NSW – brought in to help with the major chaos – who returned serve with pepper spray.
Several physical confrontations followed as others were treated by medics after copping the OC spray to their eyes.
Officers successfully pushed the anarchists from the intersection nearWurundjeri Way and the West Gate Freeway so traffic could resume.
One police officer was spotted with blood streaming down his face.
Ugly clash as protesters tear down fences
Anti-war demonstrators tore down fencing that had been erected to keep activists away from the centre’s main entrance in Clarendon St.
Ugly clashes between protesters and riot police unfolded at the entrance, with police unleashing pepper spray and threatening to keep away the aggressive crowd with rubber bullets.
A smaller group of demonstrators launched themselves at what appeared to be a supporter of Israel, yelling “get out of our rally” while tearing his coat off his body.
An elderly woman wearing the colours of the Israeli flag was pushed to the ground as she attempted to walk through the crowd.
A wall of police began yelling “move” as they forced protesters away from the main entrance of the centre.
Pepper spray filled the air as police deployed stun grenades.
Several people were treated for injuries sustained during the explosions and deployment of OC spray.
Escalating scenes at the anti-war rally at the Land Forces conference in Melbourne this morning. Police deploying stun grenades, clashes with officers and demonstrators @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/3iqenklAft
— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) September 10, 2024
Police locked down all roads leading to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ahead of the official opening of the Land Forces expo.
Several tram routes were also thrown into disarray.
Dozens of police officers stood between the attendees entering the expo and a group of protesters who screamed “blood on your hands” about 7am.
The huge group, which was expected to gain the support of more than 25,000 people, then marched through the city to another entry point of the site.
Clarendon St was blocked, with police forming a line to prevent activists from entering.
Thousands gathered at the huge intersection of Montague St and Wurundjeri Way.
The masked group blocked thousands of vehicles, including trucks and buses, who had been sounding their horns in anger.
They were banked up on freeways and major city roads and could not move.
A separate group of anarchists, wearing all black, vowed not to leave the intersection, hurling abuse at the police forming a picket line.
Many were sitting on the bitumen in the middle of the intersection.
Dozens of NSW police officers formed a line at the western entry of the site.
An exhibitor at the Land Forces expo, who requested to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun extra security had been deployed inside.
“There’s a heavy police presence inside but otherwise normal,” they said.
“It (the protest) is being discussed, with people inside I’ve chatted to supportive of the democratic right to protest, but otherwise it’s business as usual (BAU).
“I came in a different way so didn’t need to walk through the protests.”
The exhibitor added that the protesters’ message may be going unheard by the exhibitors.
“Protests themselves are BAU in this industry,” they said.
“And lots of the kit inside this expo is being used in Ukraine to defend against the Russian invasion.”
‘Get the rubber bullets out’
The anarchists – who separated from the main group – began climbing aboard a truck stuck in the intersection.
The innocent truckie was forced to remain in his cab as the group hold signs and chant on his empty tray.
One man was sitting on top of the cab’s roof.
The group was all wearing mask as the scene threatened to descend into utter chaos.
One of the many thousands of motorists stuck in the gridlock said it was “bullshit”.
“Let them get the rubber bullets out because this is stopping production,” one man said after more than an hour sitting at the intersection.
“People are working hard, I’ve got bills to pay, I’ve got to be somewhere, this is bullshit.”
Commuter chaos as roads, tram routes shut
Key Melbourne CBD thoroughfares were closed on Wednesday morning as anti-war protesters brought sections of the city to a close.
The citybound exit of the West Gate Freeway was closed at Montague St, causing major delays for those coming over the West Gate and Bolte bridges.
Clarendon and Spencer streets were closed in both directions between Flinders St and City Rd, with Montague St, Wurundjeri Way and Flinders St also closed in both directions between the West Gate Fwy and Spencer St.
Protesters were also causing disruptions to roads around Southbank and South Wharf as they made their way to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Several tram routes were disrupted with trams on routes 12, 96 and 109 running in sections due to the closure of Clarendon and Spencer streets, while Route 30 trams are operating along a shortened route.
City Circle trams were also cancelled.
A Department of Transport and Planning alert sent out at 7am on Wednesday warned further impacts to traffic and trams are expected around the CBD throughout the day
“Motorists should follow the direction of emergency services at all times, and detour wide to avoid congestion near the road closures,” the statement said.
“Passengers may consider using City Loop trains for travel around the CBD.
“These road closures are under the control of Victoria Police. Roads will re-open and trams and buses will resume normal service when protest activity has concluded.”
The Department of Transport and Planning was working with emergency services and tram and bus operators to minimise delays for drivers and passengers.
Violent rally takes toll on businesses
More than 100 stores inside DFO South Wharf shut up shop on Wednesday as the centre was forced to close amid the violent protest, while dozens of small businesses in the area were swept up in the chaotic scenes.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Paul Guerra slammed the protesters, saying the rally would cost businesses “hundreds of millions of dollars”.
He said the estimated loss included the impact on productivity, lost business revenue, damages, policing and reputational damage.
“The damage that is being done by these protests … is unacceptable,” he said, adding that he expected the cost to taxpayers to reach a whopping $20m.
“On top of that, there is the cost of businesses not being able to get in and through the city.
“There’s people who have chosen to stay home today because they feel safer at home.
“But the biggest cost is going to be the reputational cost of Melbourne.”
Mr Guerra said photos and videos of the chaos would prompt business leaders looking to hold global events in Melbourne to have “second thoughts”.
Footage captured by the Herald Sun shows protesters trashing the outdoor area of popular Docklands restaurant Byblos, hurling tables and chairs in a bid to ward off police officers.
Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association (ARCA) chief executive Wes Lambert said he knew of “dozens” of businesses in the area that had closed or restricted trade on Wednesday as a result of the protest.
“In the midst of an economic crisis, it is unacceptable that anarchistic behaviour can disrupt the city, forcing businesses to close and causing unnecessary hardship,” he said.
“The ARCA strongly condemns these actions and demands that our governments do more to safeguard the rights of both business owners and citizens.
“The estimated $15m spent on policing today’s protests could have been better used to support the thousands of struggling small businesses that are already facing immense challenges.”
He said not only dozens but thousands of small businesses, including cafes and restaurants, have had their livelihoods “severely impacted” by the ongoing protests in Melbourne.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, DFO South Wharf said the safety of its customers, retailers and teams were its first priority.
“Due to significant disruption in and around DFO South Wharf, we have made the decision to close the centre (on Wednesday) as a safety precaution,” a statement read.
“We look forward to welcoming you back to DFO South Wharf soon.”
Crown Melbourne closed several of its riverside entrances, but said it experienced minimal disruption otherwise.
Marc Moussi, who owns Tavistock House Cafe on Flinders Lane near Queens Bridge St, said the city was “pretty much dead” by lunchtime.
“It almost felt like the Covid days,” he said, referencing the helicopters flying overhead.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said: “The scenes we’ve seen down at the Convention Centre today by 1000 to 1500 protesters does not represent who we are as a city.”
“The acts of protest have gone well beyond the pale and I condemn them in the strongest terms … people throwing large rocks … starting fires … putting other people, particularly Victorian police lives and welfare at risk,” he added.
Top cop lashes protesters as ‘criminals’
Victoria’s top cop has branded a group of violent anti-war protesters who injured dozens of police officers at the Land Forced demonstration as “criminals”.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the group of up to 2000 demonstrators were “a bunch of hypocrites” who hurled animal waste and substances including acid at officers.
The violent crowd injured and assaulted 24 officers who had to be treated for sprains and irritation caused by the substances hurled at them.
One officer had a beer bottle thrown at his head, while protesters hurled a can of baked beans at another.
Several officers had also been punched, including a member who was pelted in the eye with an object.
Mr Patton said officers hit with what was believed to be a “low-level” acid had to undergo decontamination treatment.
“I want to say how appalled I am at the conduct of a large amount of the protesters,” Mr Patton said.
He lashed the “disgusting behaviour” from a group “intent on confronting us (police)”.
“What we saw today was not peaceful protest,” he said.
“If you wish to come and protest, do so peacefully. We will not tolerate criminal behaviour.
“They came with intent to provoke, to attack, to try to raise awareness for their cause.”
Mr Patton slapped down the Greens’ call for an independent review into the behaviour of police officers who deployed OC spray and rubber bullets.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my members there,” he said.
Mr Patton said while more than 1000 officers had to be pulled away from regular duties to patrol the event and that some stations were forced to close their front counters, there had not been any flow-on effects to community safety.
Union boss slams ‘filthy, disgusting animals’
Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt launched a scathing attack on the Land Force protesters saying they are “dirty, filthy, disgusting animals”.
The union boss said the protest groups were intent on violence and causing havoc and had subjected officers to “horrific” behaviour with 18 members from Victoria Police sustaining injuries.
“Hundreds of our members are out on the front line today dealing with a group of dirty, filthy, disgusting animals who have simply come to Melbourne today to cause havoc, anarchy and to, I don’t know what, or for what cause to be frank,” he said.
“But one thing is for certain, they came with the intent to be violent from the get-go. From the very moment our members stood out on that line they have been subjected to horrific behaviour.
“They have been subjected to filthy, filthy behaviour by these animals and I tell you now, you could not pay them enough to do the work they are being asked to do today.”
He added: “Thank god we’ve got them keeping Melbourne safe.”
Mr Gatt said officers had horse manure and an unknown liquid, requiring decontamination, thrown in their faces.
“These members are mums and dads who are going to have to go home today and when their kids say ‘mum, what did you do today?’ they are going to say ‘I had horse manure thrown at me and at my face. That’s why I smell the way I do today’,” he said.
“And when Dad comes home from work today they are going to say ‘I had some liquid thrown on me. I don’t even know what it is. I had to get decontaminated and then pushed back out on a line again to keep Melbourne safe’.”
Mr Gatt praised those at the protests for working up to 14-hour shifts and not walking off the job despite taking industrial action in a bid for a pay rise.
“I can tell you now, if anyone sees the scenes that these officers have been subjected to today and says what they are asking for is too much, well I don’t know what they would have to do to be paid what they are worth,” he said.
“The reality is, these members are working 13 or 14 hour shifts. They are getting up in the early hours and they are not getting home until well after the sun has gone down and we’re all tucked up in bed. And they are going to do it day after day after day and be subjected to this sort of behaviour too.”
He added: “This is a dirty, grimy and difficult job that highlights our everyday policing. You couldn’t pay these officers enough for the work they are doing. If anybody sees the optics of this on their TV and says that’s not worth what they are asking for, then I’m not sure what is.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines also slammed the “idiots” throwing poo and tomatoes at police horses.
“There’s nothing but disrespect being shown from some protesters who want to behave like idiots,” he said.
Mr Carbines also took aim at Ms de Vietri, saying like “many Greens” she was a “part-time MP”.
“They’re part of stunts, rather than showing respect to the community,” he said.
“We’re required to be here (at parliament) because of responsibility our communities who elect us.”
Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin said the “thugs” who used violence should face the full force of the law, but said he doubted the violent activists would cop jail time.
“We’ve got laws that say you should be charged and put in jail for up to six months for any of those assaults,” he said.
“(But they) continuously get away with it when it’s in a protest.”
Students for Palestine on Wednesday hit out at comments made by Victoria’s police chief, claiming officers were “responsible for the violence”.
The group said “multiple” protesters were hospitalised during clashes with police.
Students for Palestine spokesman Jasmine Duff said while the “worst violence” was happening inside the convention, police had been just as heavy handed.
“Outside, police were responsible for the violence: they used serious weapons that should be banned from use against peace activists including pepper spray, which is classified as a chemical weapon, they hit us with batons, including hitting one protester so hard he was hospitalised, and they shot us with rubber bullets,” Ms Duff said.
Organisers have claimed the day as a major success, adding they had caught authorities off guard and successfully disrupted chief executives, top military personnel and politicians from entering the centre.
Rally chairperson Bella Beiraghi said: “Today we managed to seriously disrupt the Land Forces weapons convention by preventing delegates from attending the opening ceremony and taxpayer-funded lavish breakfast, as well as blockading the main entrance.”
Meanwhile, Greens MP Ellen Sandell on Wednesday demanded an independent inquiry into the police tactics and “excessive use of force” at the Land Forces protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ms Sandell said she had written to IBAC requesting an inquiry after people witnessed police using pepper spray “indiscriminately” and deploying weapons in “very dangerous circumstances”.
She said multiple protesters had been injured by police.
Robinson Gill Lawyers Principle of Injury Law and Police Misconduct Jeremy King said he was “very concerned at the heavy-handed approach being taken by Victoria Police towards people exercising their fundamental civil right to protest”.
“There is simply no place for the use of rubber bullets in Australia in the 21st century,” he said.
Police get $15m top-up for three-day event
The mega rally against the Land Forces expo was expected to be one of the largest police operations since the World Economic Forum in 2000 – prompting the Allan government to fork out at least $15m to help cover the cost of policing for the three-day event.
Treasurer Tim Pallas on Tuesday said the hefty top-up had been requested by police.
He warned Victorians to stay away if “you have no business being there”.
The extra funding is expected to go towards accommodation, travel costs and overtime for police, including members of the highway patrol and public order response team, who have been pulled into the CBD from across the state.
Serial climate activist Deanna “Violet” Coco – who was notoriously jailed for three weeks for blocking the West Gate Bridge in March during peak hour – will also join the blockade.
On Tuesday, Ms de Vietri – who claimed the Greens were a “party for peace and non-violence” – sought to excuse clashes at recent protests.
She said a “scuffle or two” was incomparable to “the violence perpetrated by these weapons companies at the hands of our governments”.
Defending ugly scenes in Bourke St over the weekend in which pro-Palestine activists clashed with buskers and police, Ms de Vietri said: “The violence is inside this weapons expo with the bombs and the missiles, the cluster munitions, that are being produced and used to fuel violent oppression across the world.”
Ms de Vietri, who regularly wears a keffiyeh to parliament, is a no stranger to stunts.
In August, she posted a video slamming Melbourne City Council’s decision to ditch scooters, only to then allegedly get busted using her mobile phone illegally while riding her bicycle.
Last year, the Greens MP was banned from the parliamentary chamber for two days after refusing to apologise for posing for a selfie with climate activists who had disrupted Question Time.
And while Yarra mayor, she charged ratepayers almost $7000 for an in-house nanny during Melbourne’s Covid-19 lockdowns.
Co-chair of Students for Palestine – the organisers of the Land Forces rallies – Bella Beiraghi said protesters were “for peace” and the “real safety concern” was the armoured tanks being transported into the international weapons conference.
Originally published as Police horses pelted with manure, police officers sprayed with acid as anti-war protest turns ugly
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