Violence Erupts at Women’s Rights Rally in Melbourne
Two women in their 20s were arrested outside the state parliament of Victoria in Melbourne following a women’s rights rally that turned violent. The incident occurred during the #WomenWillSpeak demonstration held outside Parliament House on Saturday afternoon.
Clashes at #WomenWillSpeak Rally
The #WomenWillSpeak rally faced opposition from pro-trans rights activists, leading to clashes that required police intervention. Approximately 100 people were present at the rally, with reports of a scuffle that resulted in injuries to a news photographer.
- Two women in their 20s were arrested by the Victorian police and are expected to face charges.
- Social media videos captured protesters being tackled to the ground before police used pepper spray.
Police Response and Criticisms
Police deployed capsicum spray to control the situation after facing hostility from some rally attendees. They are reviewing footage to identify any further incidents of misconduct.
- Melbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS) criticized the police for their crowd control tactics, including the use of pepper spray and police horses in crowded conditions.
- MALS raised concerns about the potential dangers of using horses in such settings and called for their prohibition at protests.
Previous events have seen biased and discriminatory policing at women’s rights rallies, including incidents involving neo-Nazis. The organization continues to advocate for fair and safe policing practices at public demonstrations.
Authorities are investigating the recent rally, and further updates are awaited.
