MELBOURNE, 11 September, 2024: Organisers of today’s picket and rally at the Land Forces weapons expo have said, they are ” appalled at the level of violence directed against community members protesting for peace.”
Melbourne Activist Legal Support spokesperson has said, ‘The policing we observed today was so grossly excessive that we struggle to comprehend any legal justification available to defend the violence, misuse of weaponry and mass injury caused by Victoria Police. The size, nature, or political context of a protest does not change Victoria Police’s obligations to act lawfully.’
theage.com reports: Forty-two protesters were arrested when 1500 demonstrators rallied outside a weapons expo in Melbourne today, police say.
In an updated summary of the day’s action issued at 7pm, Victoria Police provided the following key figures:
- 42 protesters were arrested for various offences, including assaulting police, obstructing police, hindering police, assault, arson and blocking roadways.
- 22 people were charged and bailed.
- A Queensland man, 23, was charged with obstructing and assaulting police, a Geelong West man, 33, was charged with arson and a Brunswick woman, 28, was charged with assaulting police. All three were bailed and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 21.
- 10 people are expected to be charged on summons at a later date.
- 10 people were issued with infringement notices.
- 27 police officers, from Victoria and interstate, have required medical treatment.
The force, revising its crowd estimate to 1500 people, said it was “appalled at the behaviour of some of the protesters”. “Whilst we respect the right for individuals to protest lawfully, we will not tolerate the behaviour of those who break the law.”
Over 50 community organisations have collaborated to create the Disrupt Land Forces mobilisation, based on a shared commitment to ending the genocide in Palestine and preventing future genocides. Land Forces is a one stop genocide shop, where weapons change hands in deals worth billions. Immense human suffering and planetary damage result from the deals done at Land Forces.
“We were three times injured by police today. Firstly, police were deployed to protect the profits of weapons manufacturers instead of protecting the people. Secondly police attacked us with blows, kicks, boots on our throats, tear gas, pepper spray, flash bang grenades and rubber bullets. Thirdly, we pay for all this police violence through our taxes.
Hugh, speaking by phone from police custody, said “I was holding a placard to protest the weapons trade when police threw me to the ground and kneed me several times in the back, causing large bruises. The degree of police violence we saw today clearly demonstrates how invested our government is in supporting arms dealers, at the expense of all life” he said.”, organisers statement alleges.
The protests were successful in delaying the VIP breakfast and the opening of the Land Forces expo, despite a heavy police presence that included mounted police, helicopters and drones. The statement claimed, “At the time of writing, picket lines are still forming as mobile pods of protesters deploy around the Convention Centre. Some protestors have created barricades in an attempt to keep people safe from mounted police and riot squad shields. Butyric acid, a food additive derived from dairy products, was also deployed. 22 people had been arrested as of midday today.”
“We are expressing community anger in the only way that is available to us – on the streets” said Caroline Da Silva, speaking for Disrupt Land Forces. “Directly acting to prevent harm is in the DNA of all people of conscience. Direct action is a bedrock of democracy” she said.
“Change seems impossible, until it happens. We are people who know that change will come, through our hands, and in our lifetimes. We will never give up on Gaza, because we feel the truth of the slogan ‘We Are All Palestinians’.
“None of us are free until all of us are free. The genocide in Gaza, atrocities in West Papua, slavery in Congo, forced starvation in Sudan are all a result of militarism. The anti-militarist movement on this continent has grown and matured very rapidly since Israel’s attacks on Gaza began. We are deeply committed, and we are growing stronger. Change will come” added Ms Da Silva.
