Four pro-Palestine protesters arrested outside Melbourne Cup after blocking traffic

Four people have been arrested after chaos broke out between a group of 100 pro-Palestine protesters and police at the Melbourne Cup.

Four people have been arrested after chaos broke out between a group of 100 pro-Palestine protesters and police, as a van spray painted with the words “Free ­Palestine” blocked traffic into the Melbourne Cup.

Protesters chanting “ceasefire now” and “free, free Palestine” occupied a major intersection for almost two hours at Epsom Road, located just down the street from where punters were filing into Flemington Racecourse.

The group, armed with signs and flags, stationed themselves on the busy road at 11am.

The gathering took a turn for the worse when police said their directions were not being followed and proceeded to drag and shove protesters to the sidewalk.

Some officers took people by the arms and legs to move them off the road. “I’ve given you a police direction, now back off,” one of the officers yelled.

The pro-Palestine supporters ordered police to show their badges and also screamed profanities, with one person commenting “No wonder no one likes police”. A woman who was shoved to kerb promptly got up and told police to “f..k off” and raised her arms up.

Another man, Joshua McConnon, was swarmed by officers and pinned to the ground with his arms behind his back. Mr McConnon was not a member of the protest group but was watching the events from the balcony of his apartment down the road.

“It’s been peaceful the whole time and then the police showed up in swarms and dragged off the road,” he told The Australian.

“A woman was thrown to kerb and I helped her up and then I’ve been done for assaulting cops for helping her up.

“I wasn’t even part of the protest, but when I saw the violence the cops were throwing, I had to come down.” The onlooker, whose face was left bloody, said he was “not a violent person” and he did not appreciate violence.

Josh McConnon plans to file a police complaint. Picture: Tricia Rivera

“It took six of them to throw me to the ground when I wasn’t even resisting. When I put my arms out, that’s when he ripped my arm out and threw it onto the ground.”

Mr McConnon said he was initially cuffed but then let go by police. He intends to file a complaint on the incident.

Victoria Police confirmed three men and a woman were arrested.

“A female protester arrived in a white van and climbed onto the roof where for some time she failed to obey police instructions to come down,” police said.

“In the course of managing the non-compliant protesters, police sprayed protesters before arresting three of them.

“The female who was on top of the white van has also since been arrested. Police arranged for the van to be towed away.”

Police and pro-Palestine protesters clash down the street from Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday. @australianpic.twitter.com/vxXo9O9kv6

— Tricia Rivera (@tricialeerivera) November 7, 2023

Pro-Palestine protesters at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday. Picture: Twitter

The four protesters were taken to Melbourne West Police Station to be processed for resisting and hindering police.

Police described the protesters as “non-compliant”, with about 20 of the group members dispersing before the demonstration ended.

“The incident caused traffic disruptions at an important intersection on Melbourne Cup Day,” police said. “The incident resolved about 1.15pm when police successfully dispersed the protesters.”

The rally prompted Yarra Trams to issue alerts via social media that route 57 trams travelling in both directions had been delayed.

“Passengers for the Melbourne Cup may use Metro trains to Flemington Racecourse as an alternative,” the organisation said.