Antiwar protesters clash with police at Australian arms fair

Gaza warfare protesters and constabulary person clashed extracurricular an arms just successful Australia.

About 1,200 radical attended the protestation connected Wednesday, picketing the Land Forces 2024 exposition being held successful Australia’s 2nd largest metropolis of Melbourne, authorities said. Police utilized sponge grenades, flash-bang devices and irritant sprays against a rowdy crowd, and arrested dozens.

Pro-Palestine slogans were chanted done loudspeakers and Palestine flags waved. Police were pelted with rocks, equine manure and bottles filled with liquid arsenic they tried to support attendees of the expo, immoderate of whom were assaulted by protesters, a Victoria authorities constabulary spokesperson said successful a statement.

The protestation was organised by the Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars groups. Police arrested 33 radical for offences including assault, arson and blocking roadways.

Australian media reported it was the largest constabulary cognition successful Melbourne since 2000, erstwhile the metropolis hosted the World Economic Forum.

About 1,000 exhibiting organisations from 31 countries are expected to be the event, which runs until Friday. Organisers branded it Australia’s largest defence expo.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said radical had the close to protestation but had to bash it peacefully.

“You don’t accidental you’re opposed to defence instrumentality by throwing things astatine police. They’ve got a occupation to bash and our constabulary officers should beryllium respected astatine each times,” Albanese told Channel Seven.