Victoria Police said it was “appalled” by the actions of some protesters after police threw rocks, baked beans cans, horse manure and sprayed them with acid at an arms fair in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, police have been accused of using excessive force, including pepper spray and stun grenades.
Thousands of protesters gathered outside Melbourne's Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC), where the biennial Army International Land Expo is being held.
Police are heavily deployed across Melbourne. (AAP: Joel Catlett)
The event attracts hundreds of defense and weapons companies from around the world and has sparked ugly clashes between police and protesters.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chief Shane Patton said he could not be more proud of the actions of the officers at the scene.
“They were assaulted, shoved, shoved, had bottles thrown at them and balloons filled with different types of liquids thrown at them,” he said.
He said analysis showed low levels of acid were thrown at police.
The committee chairman described many of the protesters as “hypocrites.”
“They're coming here to protest the war, so it's probably anti-violence,” he says.
“I can only describe them as a bunch of hypocrites.”
A number of scuffles broke out as demonstrators surrounded the conference venue. (AAP: Joel Catlett)
Dozens arrested for hitting horses
Police have so far arrested 39 people on charges including assault, obstructing police, obstruction, assault, arson, and blocking a road.
Chief Patton said he believed a number of police horses were also hit during the protest.
Demonstrators started multiple fires in the city, blocked traffic and climbed on top of trucks.
Organizers of the rally said they were “appalled by the level of violence directed against local residents protesting for peace.”
Journalists reported seeing rubber bullets being fired and gas and spray being used against some demonstrators.
However, Chief Patton revealed that the “rubber bullets” were actually hard foam baton rounds.
Police say they have been forced to deploy a variety of tactical options, including PAVA powder and hard foam baton rounds. (AAP: Joel Catlett)
Victoria Police said officers were forced to deploy a variety of tactical options, including flash distraction devices and PAVA powder, a synthetic compound similar to hot pepper or pepper spray that is sprayed in liquid form from a can. .
Chief Patton said there had been no communication between police and the various groups organizing the protests.
“We are trying to work with all issue-motivated groups to set standards and agree on actions,” he said.
“That hasn't been the case up until this point, but we've seen how it played out.”
He said large numbers of demonstrators were engaging in violence, but he had not heard of any unreasonable use of force by police.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the actions of some protesters against police as “shameful”.
“They're doing a job that supports community safety,” Alan said.
“They absolutely deserve to be treated with respect by those participating in this protest.”
Traffic disruptions worsened throughout the morning. (ABC News)
The protests began before dawn and their numbers grew rapidly.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the conference venue before dawn on Wednesday, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans over loudspeakers before marching through the streets of the CBD.
Their numbers quickly grew as the crowd returned to the convention center, where they were met by mounted police and officers in riot gear.
Demonstrators surrounded the venue, including a large group who attempted to walk up an exit ramp from the Westgate Expressway, but were pushed back by police.
A demonstrator climbs onto a truck at an intersection near the Westgate Expressway exit ramp. (ABC News)
A line of police formed on Lorimer Street to try to prevent the group from entering the intersection, while demonstrators climbed on top of trucks stopped at traffic lights.
By noon, the crowd outside the Army Exposition had dwindled from the original thousands to a few hundred people.
ABC correspondent Jess Longbottom, who was at the protest, said there were two main groups of demonstrators, one in front of Crown Casino and one north of the Spencer Street Bridge. Ta.
“There are drums and whistles and chants, but everything is peaceful. It also appears that many demonstrators have left,” she said.
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A fire was lit outside the Army Fair. (AAP: Joel Catlett)
Deploying police costs millions of dollars
Hundreds of regional police officers are in Melbourne for the event, which Victoria Police said will be the most significant operation since Melbourne hosted the World Economic Forum in 2000.
Finance Minister Tim Pallas said it would cost the province more than $10 million to deploy additional police at the fair.
Patton did not say how much it cost, but said the operation involved well over 1,000 police officers.
Dozens of protesters were arrested. (ABC News)
Police said they were “appalled” by the actions of many demonstrators. (ABC News)
Anneke Demanuele of Students for Palestine, one of the organizers of the protest group, said the protesters were aiming to be peaceful, but some of them took up arms as they tried to enter the venue. He vowed to try to shut down the meeting.
“The $10 million reportedly spent on this police presence is absolutely outrageous,” she said.
“I think it's outrageous that they brought riot police from New South Wales to Melbourne.”
Police are monitoring protesters from a boat on the Yarra River outside the fairgrounds. (ABC News)
Chief Patton said police would be on the scene again tomorrow.
“If people start protesting, I encourage them to stop, but if they start protesting and do it peacefully, they will have happy days,” he said.
“But if they break the law, we will hold them accountable.”
Premier Jacinta Allan defended the State Government's sponsorship of the Army Conference, saying delegates attending the event had the right to assemble.
“Every industry has the right to hold these types of events peacefully and respectfully.”
Motorists are being urged to stay away from the CBD while the protests continue. (ABC News)
The protests brought traffic near the convention center to a standstill. (ABC News)
Brad Battin, shadow minister for police, said: “I am genuinely concerned about the safety of our officers.”
“It's our role and responsibility to be their voice and to make sure they're protected and get home safely,” Battin said.
Marches and protests caused disruption to traffic and public transport in the CBD.
Some trams have been forced to reroute and drivers have been urged to avoid the city or follow police instructions at all times.
Demonstrators earlier blocked the main intersection of Lorimer Street and Convention Center Place near the Westgate Freeway entrance, and police on foot and on horseback prevented the group from spreading further.
“It's their right to protest. It's part of democracy,” said one driver who stopped at the intersection.
Hundreds of additional police officers were called in to the protests. (ABC News)
Green Party MPs absent from parliament to participate in protests
Green Party lawmaker Gabriel de Vietri defended his decision to take part in the protests after opposition leader John Pesutto said he should be expelled from parliament.
Gabriel de Vietri defended his participation in the protests. (ABC News)
“This is my job. My job is to listen to the community and do what's right. I was elected to stand up for what's right… and that's exactly what I'm doing here today. That’s what I do,” she said.
“The community has been loud and clear, we don't want weapons and war favors coming to our doorsteps and the Victorian Labor government is backing this. Masu.”
She said the police use of force against demonstrators was “disgusting” and that it was “unjust”.
Victoria Police said it was the most significant operation in more than 20 years. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting)
Mr. Allan strongly criticized Mr. De Vietri's decision to attend.
“You were not elected to run away and participate in political stunts for your own divisive political purposes,” Alan said.
Mr Battin agreed with the Prime Minister.
“Political parties have to make a decision. Are you an activist who stands with the thugs who attack police and beat police horses, or are you an MP and stand shoulder to shoulder with all the police officers in Victoria? Who are I? Will you protect us?'' he said.
