In Melbourne, Australia, there was a confrontation between anti-war demonstrators and police outside a defense show. The police used pepper spray, rubber bullets, and tear gas on several members of the crowd.
A video captured the hundreds of protesters assembling outside the location of the yearly Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, many of them waving Palestine flags and singing pro-Palestine slogans over loudspeakers.
Police on horseback and riot squads were observed attempting to keep the protest inside of barricades.
According to Australian media, it was Melbourne’s biggest police operation since the World Economic Forum was held there in 2000, the year it was Australia’s second-biggest city.
Victoria state police did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
Dumpsters were pushed near police lines, protestors yelled at conference attendees, and police arrested protesters with handcuffs, according to ABC News.
Police have advised drivers to avoid certain areas of the city and have closed a number of the city’s main thoroughfares.
A demonstrator ascended onto a truck that was halted at a traffic light.
The event, which is billed as Australia’s largest defense expo, is anticipated to draw some 1,000 companies from 31 different countries until Friday.
People should be able to demonstrate, but they must do so peacefully, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Throwing objects at police is not how you demonstrate your opposition to defense equipment. Albanese said to Channel Seven, “Our police officers should always be respected because they have a job to do.
