Protesters have gathered outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the Land Forces Defence Expo is taking place, demanding an "end to Australia’s involvement in the international arms trade".
Some protesters have clashed with authorities, with pepper spray being used on demonstrators and abuse being hurled at some attending the conference.
With an estimated 25,000 protesters converging on the city, almost 2000 additional police officers have been deployed, including reinforcements from New South Wales.
Protesters have been demonstrating since Saturday, and the chaos continued Wednesday morning as roads were blocked, traffic disrupted, and attempts were made to breach the police barricades surrounding the venue.
The protest, which was initially peaceful, quickly escalated as demonstrators targeted mounted police in attempts to breach the security perimeter.
Dozens have been arrested after an attempt to disrupt a weapons conference. (Source: 1News)
Officers in riot gear responded with force, pushing back the crowds, deploying pepper spray.
A police spokesperson confirmed special search and arrest powers had been granted to officers under the Terrorism Act, allowing them to check identification and search vehicles without explanation.
Among the protesters were groups like Extinction Rebellion and Students for Palestine, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-war slogans.
The expo itself, which showcases the latest in military equipment and technology, has drawn widespread condemnation from activist groups who have labelled it a “celebration of death and destruction".
One protester, speaking on behalf of the group Disrupt Land Forces, said, “We’re here to stop the war machine. We don’t want Australia to be complicit in global conflict.”
Protest organisers claimed their blockades had already disrupted the delivery of weapons and military equipment to the event.
As tensions mounted, Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the violence saying, “There is no room for disruptive and dangerous behaviour” in Melbourne.
Despite the warnings, protests are expected to continue into the night, with authorities bracing for what could be Melbourne’s largest demonstration in decades.
The protests come at a time when conflict in Gaza has intensified following the October 7 Hamas attacks last year.
The Land Forces Defence Expo, held biennially, attracts hundreds of domestic and international companies showcasing military hardware, including tanks, heavy-duty trucks, and semiautomatic weapons. Despite the growing unrest outside the venue, the three-day event is expected to continue as planned.
Authorities estimate the cost of the police operation will exceed $15 million by the end of the week.
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