Dissident peace activists confront law enforcement officers during a military exhibition in Australia.
Law enforcement officers had a hard time managing a crowd of approximately 1,200 individuals who aimed to hinder people from entering the Land Forces international exhibition in Melbourne's city center.
The three-day event highlights defense experts globally and showcases military vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, semi-automatic firearms, and various weapons.
The unrest arises during a period when international clashes have fueled animosity towards the arms industry and its earnings in numerous nations.
Victoria Police reported the apprehension of 33 individuals for offenses like physical assault, arson, obstructing traffic, and assaulting a police officer.
Some of the demonstrators hurled manure from horses, rocks, and produce at police, as stated by Victoria Police and media outlets.
Twenty-four police officers sought medical attention, according to a police spokesperson, who also noted that although police horses were also targeted, none sustained serious injuries.
Participants in the crowd, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, demanded an end to hostilities, as reported by CNN affiliate 9 News, in what Australian media are describing as the city's largest protest in years.
The organization orchestrating the protests, Disrupt Land Forces, stated in an open statement that they "unequivocally oppose the glorification of death, destruction, and genocide carried out with weapons developed on this continent and showcased at Land Forces."
The group demanded an end to funding "states involved in genocide and militarized repression," including Israel.
Over 40,000 Palestinians are claimed to have lost their lives in Gaza since Israel began its war on Hamas, as per the health ministry in the enclave. The Israeli government has sworn retaliation against Hamas following the group's attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the captivity of 250, according to Israeli authorities.
Protesters confront attendees
Demonstrators heckled those entering the exposition on Wednesday, as reported by 9 News.
"We want to make it uncomfortable for these individuals to enter and make multi-million-dollar contracts or sell weapons that will be used to commit genocide in Palestine and other parts of the world," said protester Natalie Farah to 9 News.
Victoria state premier Jacinta Allan fiercely criticized any protestors making threats or using violence against police officers.
"They're doing their jobs in ensuring community safety. They deserve to be treated with respect by those attending the protest," Allan told the Australian public broadcaster, the ABC.
Approximately 1,000 enterprises from 31 nations are estimated to participate in the expo, according to the event's website.
The disturbance has resulted in traffic congestion throughout downtown Melbourne. Police have closed several major roads and advised motorists to avoid certain parts of the city, as reported by Reuters.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that individuals have the right to demonstrate but must do so peacefully.
"You don't voice opposition to defense equipment by attacking police. They have a job to do, and our police officers should be respected at all times," Albanese told CNN affiliate Channel 7.
Defense expert Bec Shrimpton from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told ABC Radio National before the conference started on Wednesday, "It's unfair to tarnish everyone with a genocide brush."
"The world isn't as everyone would like it to be and it isn't a peaceful and stable place at the moment. Events like this are crucial for defending our nation and our national interests," Shrimpton said.
However, some local politicians have backed the demonstrators.
Gabrielle de Vietri, a member of the Victorian Greens in the state parliament, stated, "The state government is turning our city into a display of war machines, spending millions to protect the profits of genocide."
"We urged them to cancel Land Forces, but they didn't listen. Disruption is all we have left," de Vietri posted on X.
The Victorian Greens have called for an independent investigation into Victoria Police's use of force during the protests, as reported by a post by the group's leader on X.
Australia is a participant in the Land Forces international exhibition, showcasing military equipment and drawing global defense experts. Despite the event highlighting various defense advancements, protests against the arms industry's earnings and perceived glorification of violence have erupted worldwide.
