Melbourne’s night of shame after protesters brought violence, arson and hate to city streets

A dark cloud of violence, hate and chaos was cast over the city on Friday evening as protesters chanted for people to die. These are the events that led to Melbourne’s night of shame.

Melbourne’s CBD has a buzz on Friday evenings.

People in suits gather at pubs and bars to celebrate the end of the working week, as couples or families arrive for a meal and a show.

But on this particular Friday, not long after the sun had set, the buzz was destroyed by violence, arson, and hate.

Protesters dressed in black had gathered near the State Library, and were spreading down the length of Swanston St, chanting for people to die.

Workers heading home near the famous Flinders St station saw people wearing makeshift masks made from keffiyehs or scarfs, as they shouted bloodcurdling threats to Israelis.

“Death, death, to IDF,” rang out across one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections.

“Defund the police,” others shouted, followed by people in pink “legal observer” vests, watching for officers to respond.

Violence erupted outside a Jewish restaurant in Hardware lane Melbourne. Source: 9news

Tables were overturned and food and furniture were thrown across the restaurant at patrons and staff. Source: 9news

A few dozen protesters marched towards Town Hall, and an argument broke out between young agitators and a group of others at about 7:30pm.

Witnesses were unsure whether those sparring had started together and splintered, or whether there were separate rallies competing for attention.

It was chaotic, and volatile.

Shortly afterwards, some of the protesters headed northwest towards Miznon in Hardware Lane, where peaceful diners were enjoying mezze and pitas.

Outdoor diners who saw the crowd of black-clad rioters approach fled, according to the chef of nearby restaurant Max on Hardware, Nick Pistikakis.

Those trapped inside the restaurant cowered as tables were overturned and food and furniture were thrown across the restaurant at patrons and staff.

When police arrived several minutes later, they arrested some of the instigators.

Other protest spot fires around the CBD were doused by police, but across the other side of the city another horror was about to unfold.

An arsonist, now being hunted by police, was stalking towards the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation – a synagogue that is a short walk from state parliament.

Inside were dozens of worshippers who were celebrating the start of Sabbath – a day of rest in Judaism set aside for family and spiritual reflection.

A young boy playing near to the Synagogue door heard a disturbance first, and alerted the worshippers.

Outside, the man was setting fire to the building.

Police were called in to suppress the violent scenes. Source: 9news

Police escort Anti-Israeli protesters outside Israeli restaurant Miznon on Hardware Lane. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Stanyer

Those who had been inside emerged to disrupt the attack, and the man fled.

A black scorch was left on the door, while a deeper mark was left on those who had been inside the building.

“There were children playing … this is a family synagogue,” Rabbi Dovid Gutnick said.

“That’s the really scary thing because they could have opened the door and the person clearly had bigger plans.”

Lord Mayor Nick Reece, who was in the CBD that evening, set off to the Synagogue soon after the news broke, to lend support to the community.

He described the mood as deflated but stoic.

While people were distraught that these attacks keep happening at their homes and places of worship, he said the clear message was “we will go on”.

The night of horror for Jewish people in Melbourne wasn’t finished, however.

In Greensborough, three cars were graffitied with anti-Semitic messages and set on fire about 4:30am outside a tech business that has been repeatedly targeted.

Police said there was “some connection” between all three crimes – a truism for anyone with Jewish heritage.

As the sun rose on Saturday morning, worshippers walked solemnly past the singed door at the East Melbourne synagogue to attend their weekly ritual.

During his sermon, Rabbi Gutnick spoke about the area’s history as a “light on the hill”.
For many decades East Melbourne had been a spiritual place shared by Catholics, Jews, Presbyterians, and others.

His message was clear: that the light cannot be extinguished by those peddling hatred and seeking to divide a peaceful community.

Originally published as Melbourne’s night of shame after protesters brought violence, arson and hate to city streets