Latest news with #WomenWill
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Arrests made as women's rights rally draws opposition
Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up. Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up. Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up. Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Arrests made as women's rights rally draws opposition
Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Arrests made as women's rights rally draws opposition
Four people have been arrested as protests in Melbourne's CBD turned scrappy. Tensions began to flare mid-morning between police and masked protesters in black believed to be rallying in opposition to a nearby demonstration for "women's sex-based rights". Some members of the media were also caught in the fracas outside the state's parliament house and surrounds as cameras and other equipment were targeted by masked activists. Victorian Police said pepper spray was used and four arrests were made, including a man in his early 20s who hit an officer with an umbrella. Two protesters were charged with allegedly possessing flares and a fourth for failing to move on. Three officers were injured, Victoria Police said, though none needed to be taken to hospital. A group of about 80 gathered to counter-protest a scheduled Women Will Speak demonstration against Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Roughly 50 attended the Women Will Speak rally, cordoned off and guarded by police, where "restore women's sex-based rights" was among the slogans adorning banners. The two groups were separated with water-filled barriers and a heavy police presence, a decision made by police after "disruptive behaviour" in April when similar protests took place. Riot unit and mounted police were among the officers deployed on Saturday. At one point during the rally, photographer Luis Ascui tried to intervene to stop a colleague's camera equipment being damaged by a protester. "They have a right to protest, but they don't have the right to attack us when we're doing a job," he told AAP. A neo-Nazi group was also reportedly planning on crashing the rally but it was unclear if any individuals turned up.
The Age
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
At least four arrested as pro-trans protesters clash with police
At least four people have been arrested after scuffles broke out between pro-trans rights protesters and police officers on Saturday morning in Melbourne's CBD. About 80 pro-trans demonstrators arrived at Parliament House at 11am to counter a women's rights rally taking place on the steps of parliament. The counter-protest was pushed away from Parliament House as the Women Will Speak rally began and moved towards Carlton Gardens. Walking back through the CBD, pro-trans protesters yelled slogans including 'trans liberation, not assimilation' and 'all cops are Nazis' as they walked through CBD streets. One person was arrested after a skirmish at the corner of Russell and Lonsdale streets about 11.30am. Protesters and a police officer were hit with oleoresin capsicum spray as flares were set off. The pro-trans group then walked back to Parliament House, where they were met with a large line of police officers. On a loudspeaker, an officer told them not to approach the line. At the corner of Albert and Gisbourne streets, police approached a woman they believed had thrown a flare earlier and asked others to remove their masks. As police tried to arrest the woman, other protesters grabbed her and tried to pull her pack into the larger protest group. People were forced to the ground, unmasked and arrested. After they arrived at Carlton Gardens at noon, the pro-trans protesters yelled at assembled media to 'f--k off' and threw an umbrella at one journalist. The group then dispersed.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Women's rights rally braces for trans storm
Women protesting for sex-based rights will face off against transgender activists in the Melbourne CBD today in a rally tipped to descend into chaos. A heavy police presence will guard the Women Will Speak gathering at Parliament House and water barriers will be set up to separate the dualling groups. A pack of neo Nazis have also threatened to gatecrash the rally. Women Will Speak leader Jasmine Sussex, speaking with NewsWire on Saturday morning, slammed the prospect of Nazis embedding themselves into the day. 'You're not welcome. Stay away. We're not your women,' she said. 'We despise them and everything they stand for.' More than 100 women are expected to gather about 11.30am and protest what they see as the erosion of women's rights before gender identity claims. Radicals burn an Australian flag during a rally in April protesting a Women Will Speak event. NewsWire / Diego Fedele Credit: News Corp Australia 'We're not anti-trans, we're about women's rights,' Ms Sussex said. 'When you say gender ID is more important than sex in policy and law, it has catastrophic impacts for women and girls across society. 'It means things like men convicted of violent sexual crimes being put in women's prisons, which is happening now.' Ms Sussex also singled out the passage of recent anti-vilification laws in Victoria, which she warns could land dissenting women in the courts. 'We first rallied in April this year in response to passing of some draconian anti-vilification and social cohesion laws, which will believe will be used by men who claim a gender ID as a weapon against women, because the threshold for vilification is very low,' she said. 'So if a man who believes he is a woman is offended by something … if we say, 'that's a man', that could be vilification.' Some counter protesters with the Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance have threatened to front up and disrupt the rally, claiming the Women Will Speak event promotes 'bigoted transphobia'. Some protesters have also threatened to disrupt media coverage of the event. Victoria Police said they would set up water barriers to maintain order. 'Ahead of tomorrow's planned rally in the CBD, Victoria Police has become aware of online posts from one of the protests groups involved encouraging attendees to interfere with journalists covering the event,' the police said on Friday. 'This includes references to damaging the cameras of media outlets present. 'For safety reasons, police will also not be allowing media to set up beyond the water filled barriers that will be used to maintain the protest group tomorrow.' Ms Sussex said she hoped the rally did not collapse into chaos and she and Women Will Speak attendees would leave as soon as they had finished speaking.
