# 2024 Melbourne Land Forces Expo protests

The 2024 Land Forces protests, also known as Disrupt Land Forces, were a series of anti-war protests which took place from 8–13 September in Melbourne, Australia. Thousands of protesters occupied streets around the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the 2024 Land Forces exhibition was taking place with the support of the Australian federal government and the Victorian state government.
Disrupt Land Forces highlighted the links between Australian governments and the Israeli weapons industry, as part of ongoing opposition to Israel's attacks on Gaza. The Land Forces exhibition included weapons which have been deployed by Israel in Gaza. Protest organisers denounced the event as "a cabal of war practitioners and war profiteers".
The state government of Victoria deployed a large police contingent to defend Land Forces from protesters. According to Victoria Police, it was the largest single deployment of officers in the state since the S11 protests in 2000. 82 people were arrested in connection with the protests and over 150 were injured by police during the picket on 11 September.

## Events

Starting from 8 September, there were daily actions before and during the Land Forces conference. These were organised by various groups, as part of the Disrupt Land Forces coalition.

### 7 September

On the afternoon of 7 September, a woman locked herself on to a car blocking the Montague St exit off the West Gate Freeway, blocking and delaying access to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Protesters were chanting the “usual slogans”, including "From the River to the Sea" but were namely protesting against the upcoming Land Forces Expo. The woman was cut free by police and arrested. A second woman, who was reportedly the designated police liaison person for the protest group, was also arrested for ‘aiding and abetting’ the woman protesting.

### 11 September

Between 4,000 and 5,000 protesters gathered from 6am for the first major demonstration, led by activist groups Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars. Protestors blockaded entrances to the venue and disrupted attendees attempting to enter the weapons exhibition. Students for Palestine described the event as "a beautiful, defiant day of protest and disruption".
Over 1,600 police were deployed to protect the weapons exhibition. Victoria Police have been accused of a police riot by legal observers, with excessive force and weaponry including rubber bullets and flash grenades being used against unarmed protesters. At least 100 people were injured by police violence, including at least one journalist and a photographer who required surgery after being hit in the ear by a rubber bullet. In anticipation of the event, police were granted extended powers under the Terrorism Act. Police alleged afterward that they had rocks, eggs, rotten tomatoes and horse manure thrown at them.
By the afternoon, after the protesters had largely dispersed, police had barricaded the Spencer Street Bridge to all road traffic.
Victorian Greens MP Gabrielle De Vietri confirmed her attendance at the protest that morning. In response, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan suggested that De Vietri should resign from her position.

### 12 September

On the morning of the second day of the Land Forces expo, a group of protesters gathered and marched around the streets surrounding the exhibition centre, holding up peak hour morning traffic with police extending an exclusion zone outside the expo.
In the late afternoon, a large group of protesters gathered outside the Hanwha headquarters in the Melbourne CBD.

### 13 September

Australian Greens Senator David Shoebridge greeted a small number of protesters at the Spencer St Beidge, which was still barricaded by police while also speaking to media. During when he criticised Victoria Police’s excessive use of force.

## Reactions

* Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese condemned protesters for "throwing things at police".
* Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton said of the protests “They come here to protest against war, so presumably anti-violence, and the only way I can describe them is a bunch of hypocrites. Their conduct today was absolutely appalling.”
* Greens politician Ellen Sandell called for an inquiry into excessive force used by police.