Pro-Palestine activists gatecrash opening of Myer Christmas windows
Amid a heavy police presence, 10 protesters carrying banners, shouting slogans and blowing bubbles congregated in the middle of the Melbourne CBD as the Myer windows were unveiled.
Pro-Palestine protesters who gatecrashed the opening day of the Myer Christmas windows in Melbourne have been condemned by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Amid a heavy police presence, up to 10 protesters carrying banners, shouting slogans and blowing bubbles congregated in the middle of the CBD on the first day of the windows being opened.
Myer did not officially open the windows because of threats by protesters to disrupt the celebrations, which could be attended by up two million people this Christmas season.
ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said protesters should not be able to intimidate shoppers as they go about their business in the centre of Melbourne.
“Many will be bitterly disappointed that Myer’s Christmas windows grand unveiling was cancelled because of risks to public safety from anti-Israel extremists,’’ he said.
“We cannot allow a dozen lost souls who accuse a department store of murdering children to determine where we can and can’t go and whether we’re allowed to celebrate the holidays.
“The only way we’ll defeat this pathetic assortment of lowly vandals who shout random slogans because it brings emotional nourishment to their otherwise dreary lives is by standing together and supporting each other.
“I hope everyone who walks past those windows feels some joy and good will to others. We need it this year more than most.”
Victoria Police saturated the city’s Bourke Street mall on Sunday after the anti-Israel groups had previously warned they would target the opening of Myer’s windows.
The Christmas windows are arguably the biggest event on Melbourne’s December calendar with as many as two million people expected to visit. Many of them are children.
Despite calling off the protest because Myer said it would not have a formal opening, protesters still turned up.
One demonstrator dressed as a fake police officer with a clown make-up mask, taunting the crowd.
A placard read: “You look stupid staring at windows when kids are being murdered.’’
Concerns about possible violence stopped trams travelling through the centre of the city.
Protesters chanted: “Myer, Myer, you can’t hide. They’re killing kids in Palestine.”
The group Disrupt Wars said protesting genocide was always appropriate. “Palestine is the issue here, not a few stuffed animals behind glass,’’ it said.
Business groups have called for protesters to have permits as a means to stop disruptions to the retail traders, which have been smashed by the weekend protests over Gaza.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said he wanted to see the introduction of permit protests before it was too late for businesses affected by more than a year of protesting.
The protesters called themselves “Morons 4 Palestine” after being attacked by Premier Jacinta Allan. The windows theme this year is An Irwin’s Christmas Story, a six-part script including Australia Zoo.
Ms Allan has been highly critical of the protesters. “I am furious that a small group of people have chosen to politicise a beautiful event for children,’’ she said on Friday.
“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.”
On board the Sydney to Hobart boat hit by tragedy
Two sailors have died after being hit by their boats’ sail booms in separate incidents. The Australian spent the day with the crew of one of the boats before the race began. This is their story.
Lib MP tells Pesutto to go: ‘We’re not asking, we’re telling’
One of the main movers to return exiled Liberal Moira Deeming to the partyroom has delivered a blunt message to John Pesutto ahead of an expected leadership spill.