Protesters and police are gathering outside a Melbourne court, where more than 30 activists are due to face a magistrate over the Land Forces demonstration in September.
Dozens of protesters are lining Williams Street at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court entrance with banners in hand, some wearing keffiyehs and clothing with the Extinction Rebellion logo.
Protersters rallying in support of Land Forces activists fronting court on Thursday.Credit: Simon Schluter
One held a sign reading: “The warmongers are the real criminals.” Another was covered in fake blood.
There is also a large police presence on the steps of the courthouse, with officers using cameras to capture the faces of protesters.
Inside, the courtroom has quickly filled with those facing charges.
In September, police fired rubber bullets at protesters and deployed stun grenades into crowds during ugly clashes in Melbourne outside a major weapons expo.
The protesters rallied on the steps of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.Credit: Simon Schluter
City roads were locked down, tram routes disrupted and police forced to escort delegates into the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre on day one of the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, a three-day conference that billed itself as Australia’s largest defence industry exhibition.
Police officers were allegedly pelted with horse faeces, rocks, eggs and rotten tomatoes, fires were lit in bins on the streets and anti-war protesters were doused with pepper spray and tear gas.
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