Australian Police Detain Pro-Palestine Demonstrators in Melbourne
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Authorities in Melbourne arrested over a dozen pro-Palestine demonstrators on Sunday, accusing them of obstructing roads and causing disruptions to traffic flow in the city center.
More than a dozen pro-Palestine protesters were detained in Melbourne's CBD for allegedly impeding traffic and causing chaos after more than a hundred took part in anti-Israeli protest near key locations such as Parliament, Hoddle Street, Flinders Street, and a defense facility in Port Melbourne, according to 9News.
The international group "A15 Action" has urged its supporters to stage blockades at strategic sites, including ports, train stations, and central business districts across major Australian cities, as part of a global campaign to end the Israeli war on Gaza.
According to sources from both law enforcement and activist circles cited by Nine newspapers, potential protest locations include ports, train stations, major thoroughfares, and corporate offices.
Police confirmed the arrest of 12 individuals for obstructing Lorimer Street, near Boeing's Melbourne office in Port Melbourne around 8:30 am. Additionally, two more people were detained for alleged criminal damage at the intersection of Victoria Street and Nicholson Street in Carlton shortly before 8 am, where they were reportedly tampering with traffic lights.
A social media post from the Free Palestine Melbourne group outlined protest sites scheduled for 7 am, including the premises of technology company Thales and oil corporation BP in the city.
Reports from The Age indicated that Victorian police are mobilizing the State Police Operations Centre, last activated during the anti-lockdown protests in 2021. Enhanced police presence, including mounted units and public order response teams, will be deployed across central Melbourne, with officers from suburban stations reassigned to bolster security measures.
Organizers of the protests argue for global economic pressure as a means to resolve the Israeli war on Gaza, which commenced on October 7 last year. The A15 site advocates for disrupting key economic nodes, stating, "Join participating cities in blocking the arteries of capitalism and jamming the wheels of production."
The initiative, echoing recent port shutdowns in Oakland, California, and Melbourne, Australia, aims to target points of production and circulation to maximize economic impact. Participating cities listed include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra, along with other regional centers like Geelong, Alice Springs, and Castlemaine.