Key Takeaways
- Police have arrested two men in connection with alleged violence at a Melbourne protest last month
- The arrests come as police prepare for potentially thousands of protesters from rival groups to gather in the city on Sunday
- Police will have greater powers to search people for prohibited weapons in a large part of Melbourne’s CBD
- The search powers will be in effect from Sunday until May 29, 2026
- Police are warning that anyone who engages in violence will be caught and dealt with swiftly
Introduction to the Protests
The city of Melbourne is bracing itself for another potentially violent protest and counter-rally on Sunday, with police preparing for thousands of people to gather in the city. The protest has been organized by the anti-mass immigration group Put Australia First, and police are warning that they will not tolerate any violence. This comes after a protest last month, on October 19, which saw clashes between anti-immigration protesters and left-wing counter-protesters, resulting in two police officers being taken to hospital.
Investigations and Arrests
Investigations into the violence at the October 19 protest are ongoing, with police accusing some demonstrators of throwing rocks, glass bottles, and rotten fruit at police. Two men were arrested this week after police searched a number of properties, with a 21-year-old Port Melbourne man charged with two counts of assaulting police and two counts of hindering police, and a 56-year-old Kilsyth man charged with assault and hindering police. Both men were allowed bail to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 26 next year. Victoria Police Superintendent Troy Papworth said the arrests should serve as a warning to others, stating that "these arrests should make it clear that anyone coming into the city and behaving violently will be caught and will be dealt with."
Preparations for Sunday’s Protest
Police are preparing for a large turnout on Sunday, with Superintendent Papworth warning that "potentially thousands" of people could be involved in the protest and counter-rally. He said that police were ready to respond to any violence, and that the counter-protest group had targeted police before and had been violent towards them in the past. Police will have a significant presence in the city, with officers stationed at newly-opened Metro stations, and Superintendent Papworth warned that anyone who engages in violence will be caught and dealt with swiftly.
Increased Police Powers
In an effort to prevent violence, police will have greater powers to search people for prohibited weapons in a large part of Melbourne’s CBD, including the Southbank and Docklands. The declaration, which comes into effect on Sunday, will allow officers to conduct pat-down or wand searches of people without a warrant, search vehicles, and force people to remove face coverings. The move has been supported by Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, but has been criticized by Liberty Victoria, which has described it as an abuse of police powers. The search powers will be in effect until May 29, 2026.
Community Impact
The protests and counter-rallies are expected to have a significant impact on the community, with many people planning to avoid the city on Sunday. The pre-Christmas sales and the opening of the Metro Tunnel are expected to bring large crowds to the city, and police are warning people to expect delays and disruptions. Superintendent Papworth urged people to plan their day carefully and to avoid the areas where the protests are expected to take place. He also warned that anyone who engages in violence will be caught and dealt with swiftly, and that police will do everything in their power to keep the community safe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the city of Melbourne is bracing itself for another potentially violent protest and counter-rally on Sunday, with police preparing for thousands of people to gather in the city. The protests and counter-rallies have the potential to cause significant disruptions to the community, and police are warning that they will not tolerate any violence. With increased police powers and a significant police presence, the city is ready to respond to any violence, and Superintendent Papworth has warned that anyone who engages in violence will be caught and dealt with swiftly.