‘Christmas is cancelled’: protest threat sparks cancellation of children’s Christmas opening

Police, the Victorian Premier and business have slammed the pro-Palestinian group that forced Myer to cancel its Christmas windows opening event.

Carolina Henao, 44, and son Valentino, 7, are devastated they won’t be able to attend the unveiling of The Myer windows event. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Hardline anti-Israel activists who shut down the opening of Myer Melbourne Christmas windows in protest over the Gaza war have been condemned by police and the Victorian Premier and prompted a vow to strengthen the state’s anti-vilification laws.

Police and Myer will escalate security at the site of the popular Christmas tradition amid concerns the campaigners could still strike at the weekend.

The windows, which change in theme each year, are considered the main Christmas attraction in Victoria for children, with more than two million people expected this year.

Furious Premier Jacinta Allan said the targeting of a children’s attraction was a new low, and business demanded a tighter rein on the protesters who have caused disruptions in central Melbourne for more than a year.

“I am furious that a small group of people have chosen to politicise a beautiful event for children,’’ Ms Allan said.

“I’m just as mad at all the others who have quietly stoked this division and egged them on. Blocking the Christmas windows won’t change a thing in the Middle East, but it will let down a bunch of kids in Melbourne.”

Ms Allan, who joined by a group of multicultural and religious leaders at Friday’s press conference, also announced Labor would introduce strengthened anti-vilification laws to parliament later this month.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tim Tully also criticised the organisers, labelling their actions disgraceful and pledging tight security around the windows.

“There’s some things which are sacred, and the Myer Christmas windows is one of those,” he said.

Mr Tully described the organisers as a splinter group, from the main pro-Palestine protest group that has organised regular Sunday marches through the city.

“The Christmas windows themselves are still going ahead and I want to reassure families coming along on Sunday that police will be there to deal with any issues that this group presents us,” Mr Tully said.

“We will be there in numbers.”

The Bourke St windows have been viewed by tens of millions of children over the decades but Myer has been forced to post ­security guards outside its store as police conduct intense surveillance.

Dubbed the “Crash the Christmas Windows” protest to “interrupt the Christmas windows reveal at Myer” it was organised by anti-war activist Amy Settal and shared on social media by radical pro-Palestine group Disrupt Wars.

“Christmas is cancelled and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred,” a social media post read.

The group put off its protest when Myer said it would cancel the official opening.

Myer is still closely monitoring the situation amid concerns the protesters have not fully dismissed the potential for attacking the site on Sunday.

“To ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers, team members and the broader community, we made the decision to cancel the public event to launch Myer Christmas Windows in Bourke Street Mall,’’ a Myer spokesman said.

“Our Myer Christmas windows are a proud symbol of joy and community, loved by millions who visit them each year and we remain committed to providing a safe, positive and welcoming experience for all who visit.”

Myer was concerned that had the opening been conducted there could be threats to customers and staff.

Zionist Federation of Australia chief executive Alon Cassuto said the planned action would do nothing for peace.

“The Myer Christmas windows are a cherished tradition, bringing joy to the entire community no matter their religion or background,’’ he said.

“Targeting a children’s event with disruptive protests does nothing to advance peace in the Middle East.’’

Archdiocese of Melbourne archbishop Peter Comensoli said Christmas was celebrated across the affected Middle East areas.

“Families and children across the world are beginning to prepare for Christmas celebrations. Even in places like Gaza, Beirut, and Bethlehem, these preparations have started,’’ he said.
“Christmas is good news for all people.

Shoppers expressed their disappointment, including Carolina Henao, 44, who said she was “devastated” her family’s annual Christmas tradition had been spoiled.

Ms Henao, from Beveridge in Melbourne’s outer north, said she came into the city each year for the Christmas windows with her son, Valentino, 7, and husband Wilder.

“We love Christmas and we love the spirit,” she said.

Liana Nardi, of Geelong, said she enjoyed taking her four-year-old granddaughter Georgia into Melbourne to see the windows and that it was “very disappointing that something that’s been happening for so many years” had been cancelled.

Martin Johnson, 64, said the protesters were “acting like the Grinch” by “spoiling people’s Christmases”.

Ms Settal said children were never a target, and the intention was “to interrupt the media spectacle and economic gain sought by Myer”.

“Celebrating over-consumption while the historic birthplace of Jesus is under bombardment is abhorrent,” she said.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto called the protesters “thugs” and said their actions were “absolutely disgusting”.

“I’ve already said previously that a permit system for protests is worth considering and looking at, investigating the merits and demerits of that kind of system,” he said.

“It should be looked at as part of the possible measures that can be embraced in the future.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said the planned protests were unacceptable and put society and businesses at risk.

“We should be allowed to live our lives in Melbourne without the threats given by protesters, it’s time for this to stop,” he said.

He said protests were stopping people from coming into Melbourne’s CBD and called for the government to introduce a permit system.

Liana Nardi, with her four-year-old granddaughter Georgia, said it was ‘very disappointing’ the event had been cancelled. Picture: Alex Coppel

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and deputy leader David Southwick walk past security stationed in front of the Myer Christmas windows. Picture: NewsWire/Aaron Francis