Anti-police chants and signs at pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne

In the aftermath of the violent protest against the Land Forces expo, supporters of the weekly Free Palestine rally made clear their disdain for police.

Protesters have voiced their anger at Victoria Police’s response to the violent anti-war demonstrations seen on Melbourne streets last week, with activists chanting anti-cop slogans at the city’s weekly pro-Palestine rally.

In the aftermath of the chaotic three-day action against the Land Forces expo, which saw anti-Israel activists hurl acid and horse manure at officers, supporters of the Free Palestine Sunday rally made clear their disdain for police.

One rally speaker prompted the largely peaceful crowd to shout a new chant that was “dedicated to Victoria Police”.

“What do we think of Vic Pol? You say ‘shit’. Then what do we think of shit? (You say) Vic Pol,” she directed the group. “Do not let the police intimidate you. We know that they’re violent.”

One person was seen holding a balloon of a pig with a picture of a police officer stuck to its face.

A pro-Palestine supporter carries a pig balloon. Picture: Tricia Rivera

Federal Greens candidate for Wills Samantha Ratnam attended the rally and used her speech to double down on the minor party’s support for protesters, while slating police, government and media.

“It was like a dystopia in parliament this week … instead of mentioning and acknowledging the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and genocide that’s unfolding in Gaza, we saw the Labor government here double down on its support … of an exhibition of life-destroying machines and technology,” Ms Ratnam told rally attendees.

“And not only did they double down and back in their support, they backed in the conduct of Victoria Police.”

Victoria Greens MLC Samantha Ratnam. Picture: Tamati Smith/NewsWire

The former Victorian Greens leader, who will step down from state parliament to kickstart a federal politics career, said governments were trying to crack down on the right to protest peacefully: “Police officers are obliged to de-escalate situations, not escalate them. But that’s not what we saw this week, and that’s why we want an inquiry.”