Dozens of anti-war protesters were arrested after clashing with police outside a defence exhibition in Melbourne, Australia, on September 11.

Police officers struggled to control the crowd of around 1,200 people who tried to block attendees from entering the Land Forces international exposition in downtown Melbourne.

Protesters clash with police at Australia defense show

Video Credit - James Conlan


Dozens of people have been arrested after protesters clashed with police at a major defense expo in downtown Melbourne , Australia on Wednesday, which saw some demonstrators set fire to trash cans and target police horses and officers respond with pepper spray

Police officers struggled to control the crowd of around 1,200 people who tried to block attendees from entering the Land Forces international exposition in downtown Melbourne The three-day event brings defense experts from around the world and showcases military equipment, heavy-duty trucks, semi-automatic guns and other weapons. The protests come at a time when heightened tensions sparked by global conflicts have deepened public anger in many countries towards the arms industry and its profits. Victoria Police said 33 people have been arrested for offenses including assault, arson, blocking roadways, and assault of a police officer. Some of the protesters threw horse manure, rocks, and fruit at police, according to Victoria Police and media reports. police horses were also targeted, none sustained serious injuries.
Members of the crowd, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, demanded an end to violent conflict, local media reported . The organization behind the protests, Disrupt Land Forces, said in an open letter they “unequivocally oppose the glorification of death, destruction, and genocide being carried out with weapons developed on this continent and showcased at Land Forces.”
The group called for an end to funding “states engaged in genocide and militarized repression,” including Israel.