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News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Melbourne protests over women's, trans rights erupt in violence; two arrested
Arrests have been made following Saturday's chaotic protests in Melbourne's CBD, where rival demonstrations between women's rights activists and pro-trans counter-protesters escalated into violent street clashes. The unrest stemmed from a rally organised by Women's Voices Australia on the steps of Parliament House, where about 50 supporters gathered for the 'Women Will Speak' event, advocating for women's rights to single-sex change rooms and sporting competitions. Organisers of the rally said proposed government plans to expand Victoria's hate speech laws to include the LGBTQIA+ community posed a threat to freedom of speech. The event quickly drew backlash from trans-rights activists, who labelled it an 'anti-trans rally' and mobilised a counter-protest under the banner 'Trans Liberation Counter Protest' which drew about 440 protesters, according to Victoria Police. The protests also featured anti-police sentiment, with demonstrators holding signs that read 'VicPol protects NAZIS' and 'Cops kill queers'. Victoria Police, who had invoked special powers under the Control of Weapons Act to search for weapons, deployed almost 100 officers to the scene. Spring St was closed to traffic between the Princess Theatre and the Old Treasury Building during the demonstration. Despite early efforts to separate the groups, tensions spilt into the surrounding streets. Hundreds of activists from the counter-protest marched through the CBD, blocking intersections, trams, and cars. Police were forced to deploy pepper spray after facing missiles thrown by protesters, and several violent brawls broke out near the State Library. One woman reportedly began punching members of the crowd after her tram was blocked, while elsewhere, a small group of young men yelling anti-trans slurs became embroiled in further fights. Journalists at the scene were forced to call emergency services after witnessing a man being knocked unconscious. Victoria Police said during the protests, they succeeded in keeping the opposing groups more than 100 metres apart. They said four officers were injured in the unrest. Two people were arrested and 38 weapons searches were conducted throughout the afternoon, although no weapons were found. 'Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest peacefully, however we have zero tolerance for those who threaten the safety of the community and police,' a police statement said. As the afternoon wore on, a group of about 40 activists blocked major city intersections using wooden pallets and swarmed local retailers, creating further disruption. One young driver, a female P-plater, was reportedly reduced to tears after being surrounded and unable to move her car. Former Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick was also caught in the crossfire, becoming involved in a scuffle on Spring St earlier in the day. A 37-year-old Brunswick East woman was arrested for unlawful assault and wilful damage, while a 41-year-old Footscray man was arrested for indictable assault of police. Both have been released pending a summons. Victoria Police said they are now reviewing CCTV footage from the rally and will investigate any further offences.
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Wild scenes as women's rights protesters and pro-trans activists start a street brawl
The streets of Melbourne plunged into chaos this afternoon after pro-trans activists clashed with police and other members of the public while two peeople were arrested. Four police officers were also treated for non-life threatening injuries following the protests involving an estimated 440 activists. Pro-trans counter-protesters gathered to play drums and chant loudly during a separate rally hosted by Women's Voices Australia on the steps of Parliament House on Saturday morning. The women's rights group attended to challenge the Allan Government's proposed expansion of anti-vilification laws which they claimed undermined freedom of speech. They found themselves outnumbered by the counter-protestors, some of whom carried posters reading: 'Cops kill queers, queers kill cops,' 'Vic Pol protects Nazis' and 'Trans exclusionary radical fascists.' Authorities prepared for the clash ahead of time, with riot police outside parliament and a designated search area in force near the rally. A spokesperson for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia officers had to form 'multiple lines' to keep the groups separate as protesters began throwing missiles at police. The spokesperson did not say which group threw the missiles. Officers arrested two individuals following the protests, though Victoria Police will continue to scan CCTV footage to determine whether more offending took place Things only escalated when a group of about 40 protestors began marching through nearby streets, blocking busy intersections with wooden pallets and swarming local retailers. Police arrested a 37-year-old Brunswick East woman for unlawful assault and wilful damage and a 41-year-old Footscray man for indictable assault of police. Officers had to buy water-filled barriers to separate the groups and prevent the violence from escalating. Shocking footage showed several protesters trading blows before others tore at the arms of arresting officers. Former Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick was filmed being shoved to the ground on Spring Street before wagging his finger and declaring to reporters: 'I want him arrested for assault.' He was reported to have earlier been escorted from the front steps of Parliament House carrying a transgender flag. A group of young men yelled 'f*** trans rights' while following the protestors to the lawn outside the State Library. Following an altercation, the men were chased down Swanston Street and into an alleyway, The Age reported. Officers conducted 38 searches to remove face coverings and search for weapons, though none were found. Search powers remained in force in the area until 8pm while officers continued to review CCTV footage to determine if more arrests needed to be made. 'Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest peacefully however we have zero tolerance for those who threaten the safety of the community and police,' a police spokesperson said. 'Police will now review CCTV vision from the rally and will investigate any further offences detected.'
