Chaos as protesters clash in Melbourne's CBD
A 'Women Will Speak' event was organised by Women's Voices Australia, and was criticised by counter-protesters as an anti transgender rally.
Almost 100 police officers were granted extra powers under the Control of Weapons Act to try to defuse the situation, and conduct weapons searches.
Spring Street is closed to traffic between the Princess Theatre and the Old Treasury Building.
Victoria Police told NewsWire, they will not be commenting on the situation until later in the evening.
The 'Women will speak' event on the steps of parliament, is calling for 'women's rights to single-sex change rooms and sporting competitions'.
Meanwhile, a social media page for the 'Trans Liberation Counter Protest' organised by trans activists called on people to 'come counter the anti-trans rally.'
'We reject their oppressive ideology, we are taking to the streets to drown them out,' a post said.
'We organise against the colonial-capitalist agenda, fascism, and trans liberalism alike, as all are killing us.'
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