What you need to know about the Land Forces expo protests in Melbourne
Protesters and police are clashing in heated scenes on the streets of Melbourne. Who are the protesters? And what is the Land Forces expo?
What was meant to be a peaceful anti-war rally escalated into violence on Wednesday, with heavily-armed riot police deploying stun grenades and tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Follow our live coverage here.
What is the Land Forces expo?
The Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition is a biennial event that serves as the gateway to the land defence markets of Australia and provides a means to connect with major contractors from the United States and Europe.
The defence event was held in Brisbane in 2022 and pulled in 20,000 people and more than 800 exhibitor organisations from 25 nations.
This year Melbourne is hosting the expo over three days at Melbourne Convention Centre.
Military equipment, including tricks and semiautomatic guns, will be on display for attendees.
Who and why are people protesting?
It is estimated that about 1200 people were out protesting the expo before 12pm, with most part of hard-left anti-Israel groups.
Members of Disrupt Land Forces, Socialist Alternative, Students for Palestine, Victorian Socialists and Extinction Rebellion are among those who have taken to the streets and have co-ordinated details for the demonstration on social media.
Disrupt Land Forces spokeswoman Jasmine Duff said the protest was triggered by the government’s stance on the conflict in the Middle East.
“We’re protesting to stand up for all those who have been killed by the type of weapons on display at the convention,” Ms Duff said.
“Many of the weapons inside the convention centre are advertised as battle-tested. In the context of Israeli weapons firms, which are present, this means tested through killing civilians in Gaza.”
Blockade co-chair Bella Beiraghi said protesters would flood Melbourne ahead of the expo.
“Young people from across the country are flooding into Melbourne to blockade the Land Forces convention’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, because we stand against the death and destruction brought by weapons of war,” she said.
Students for Palestine spokeswoman Tully McEwen said she was protesting against “the getting together of all the people pocketing and making money at the expense of Palestinians.”
“I don’t think society should be about making money at the expense of people’s lives – it should be about enriching them,” she said.
Victorian Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri was seen leaving state parliament on her bike to go to the protest.
What are police doing about the protest activity?
Ahead of the protest on Wednesday, Victoria Police organised for a “ring of steel” formed by 1200 of their officers to surround the convention centre.
Specialist riot squad officers and the mounted branch are out in force, with police armed with rubber bullets and tear gas at their disposal.
The Australian Federal Police and NSW Police have been called in as well to help Victoria Police deal with protesters.
Police have so far arrested 33 people for various offences including assaulting and hindering police, assault, arson and blocking roadways.
24 police officers from Victoria and interstate have required medical treatment so far.
What have politicians said?
Victorian Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri was invited to speak to the activists and endorsed the protest online.
“Today, the Vic Labor Gov is turning our city into a display of war machines, spending millions to protect the profits of genocide. I’m joining thousands of anti-war protesters,” the Greens MP wrote on X.
“We pleaded for them to cancel Land Forces, but they didn’t listen. Disruption is all we have left.”
State Greens leader Ellen Sandell defended Ms de Vietri’s decision to join activists protesting and urged police to “de-escalate”.
“Our members are elected to represent their constituents and we are getting countless emails everyday from … Victorians telling us they do not support a weapons expo being held in our city,” Ms Sandell said on Wednesday.
“We have a duty as members of parliament to represent our constituents and that is exactly what Gabrielle is doing.”
Ms Sandell said protest organisers had intended for the rally to be peaceful.
“(Protesters) have been met with an incredible barrage of increased police presence,” she said.
“We know often in those circumstances that police presence can escalate things and I very much urge police to de-escalate if there are any confrontations.
“If the Victorian Labor government wanted to avoid tens of thousands of Victorians on the streets disrupting our city this week, they could have cancelled the Land Forced weapons expo like we asked them several weeks ago.”
The state Greens leader said Ms Vietri had been invited to speak at the rally and would be absent from parliament for an hour.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the protesters behaving in a “disgraceful” way and has suggested that Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri “hand back the keys” to her office.
Ms Allan confirmed that she is in frequent communication with Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton.
“I say to anyone going down to threaten police, to threaten community safety, (you) will absolutely be dealt with by Victoria Police,” she said.
“There is a right to protest peacefully of course, but to behave in such a disgraceful way to Victoria Police who are there doing their job.”
She said arrests have been made but had no information on whether officers had been injured in the commotion.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Ms Vietri was seen leaving parliament on her bike to go to the protest.
The Premier said that the MP should explain to her constituents why she had “chosen to turn her back” on her role as a member for parliament.
“You’re not elected to run off and join political stunts for your own divisive political purposes,” she said.
“The Victorian community deserves better than that, and quite frankly, if the member for Richmond can’t turn up and do her job as an elected member of parliament, she should hand back the keys to her office.”
Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines says activists from interstate have made their way to Melbourne to “cause havoc”.
“There are some (protesters) from Queensland, from New South Wales who made their way to cause trouble and to disrupt matters here in Victoria,” Mr Carbines said on Wednesday morning.
“There are some who are absolutely professional protesters who seek to disrupt and cause havoc here in Melbourne. Police are well aware of who they are.”
Anthony Albanese has rebuked anti-war protesters in Melbourne who on Wednesday hurled projectiles at mounted police.
“Well look, people have a right to protest peacefully, but you don’t say you’re opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police,” the Prime Minister told Channel 7.
“They’ve got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times.”
Thousands are expected to take part in the demonstrations at the Land Forces defence expo hosted at the Melbourne Convention Centre, with protesters opposed to weapons proliferation and the Israel-Hamas war.
Victoria’s Opposition Leader John Pesutto seemed to adopt a stronger view and said the labels “thugs” and “idiots” for the protesters hurling projectiles at police and causing disruption to the city are “too charitable”.
“The protests that we’re seeing in Melbourne today are a disgrace, they’re violent, they’re disgusting and they put Victoria Police officers at great risk of harm,” Mr Pesutto said on Wednesday.
“It’s a shame that one of our own members in this place, the member for Richmond, has participated in these protests.
“There’s no place for violence and I only condemn the protesters who are out there today.”
It was put to the state Liberal leader that the protesters had been slammed as thugs and idiots.
“That may well be too charitable frankly for these people,” he said.
Mr Pesutto said he has a “strong view” that Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri should not be serving in parliament.
“(Gabrielle) has shown herself unworthy of that role by her involvement and incitement of this protesting.”
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Today, the Vic Labor Gov is turning our city into a display of war machines, spending millions to protect the profits of genocide.
— Gabrielle de Vietri (@GabrielledeVie) September 10, 2024
I'm joining thousands of anti-war protesters.
We pleaded for them to cancel Land Forces, but they didn't listen. Disruption is all we have left.