News Mania Desk/ Piyal Chatterjee / 11th September 2024
During skirmishes on Wednesday in Australia, protesters tossed horse dung and lit dumpsters on fire, forcing police to retaliate with pepper spray, stun grenades, and tear gas. A three-day military expo in Melbourne that features international technology and weaponry is being opposed by anti-war demonstrators.
The largest operation the force has conducted in 20 years was the result of local police diverting resources from regional locations in preparation of gatherings of up to 25,000 protestors.
Only 3,000 people, according to government officials, attended the expo on Wednesday; many of them screamed at participants before getting into physical altercations with police.After hurling rotten tomatoes, eggs, and horse excrement at the police, the demonstrators built a makeshift barrier and set trash cans on fire.
Extinction Rebellion and Students for Palestine, among other activist groups, have banded together for the demonstration, which they claim was sparked by Canberra’s position on the Gaza situation. To break up the throng, police used pepper spray, stun grenades, and tear gas. At least two persons were taken into custody.
Although he disapproved the violence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that people had the right to demonstrate.
“We’re protesting to stand up for all those who have been killed by the type of weapons on display at the convention,” spokeswoman Jasmine Duff said.
“People have a right to protest peacefully, but you don’t say you’re opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police.”
“They’ve got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times,” he said.
