Inside Melbourne’s violent anti-war protests

When I first arrived at the front entrance to the Land Forces Expo at dawn yesterday, there was little sign of what would become Melbourne's most violent demonstrations since the 2000 World Economic Forum riots. No more than 20 people were picketing half-heartedly in front of a line of almost twice as many police.

Realising nothing much was happening there, I headed along the riverside towards the back entrance. Turning a corner, I was engulfed by a sea of protesters. Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Intifada" echoed off the walls. While the demonstration claimed to be protesting defence industries, Palestine was clearly the issue spurring the anger.

Panic quickly kicked in. I’m Jewish. My father is Israeli-born. I was there as a photographer, but I felt afraid as an Australian Jew.

The scene rapidly devolved from a typical protest to something much more threatening. Black-clad anarchists and activists hiding their faces with keffiyehs clashed with police, who had been authorised to use special powers under the Terrorism Act. Roads were closed, a “ring of steel” fence was installed and the area was heavily fortified, with thousands of police managing more than 1,000 protesters.

The ABC reported that police arrested 42 protesters for various offences on Wednesday, including assault, arson and blocking roadways, and 27 officers required medical treatment.

My most pressing issues were avoiding being hit in the head by a rock or knocked over by a horse, as mounted police sought to gain control of the scene. The smell of horse manure was bad enough, but when protesters began using it as projectiles, I had to evade getting covered in the stuff.

At another flashpoint, tear gas and pepper spray joined the sensory assault, leaving my throat dry, head throbbing, and briefly wishing I'd lost my sense of smell forever.

This was a new level of protest for Melbourne, something I had never seen before: flaming bins, debris scattered across the streets, smoke grenades, tear gas. It was deeply confronting and saddening to see that this extreme style of protest had now made its way to Melbourne.

The anti-war protesters were clearly prepared for violence. Their claims to be campaigning for peace were undermined by their preparedness for conflict: makeshift shields from ripped-up fences, ski masks, and “black bloc” tactics designed to conceal their identity and intimidate. Like the riot squad, I was afraid of what they might do.

The massive police response, including interstate reinforcements, felt necessary but simultaneously excessive. It felt as if Viking raiders were descending on our city — foreign, intimidating, and seemingly detached from any connection to Melbourne or its people. Maybe this was a psychological tactic by the police. All I know is that it worked on me. I was afraid of the police too.

By the time I left the protests, nursing a pounding head, I pondered Melbourne's future. Our "protest capital" seemed to be edging towards "riot capital," a disturbing shift for a city I've always known as relatively peaceful.

This protest marked a turning point. Our geographic isolation no longer shields us from global ideologies of hate and hypocrisy. As a lifelong Melburnian, I felt a profound sense of loss — it has felt like over recent years, Melbourne's little safety bubble has been building up to bursting, and that finally happened yesterday.

I was surrounded by people, some of whom most likely hated me simply because I am a Jew. I was relieved to head home, leaving the chants of "Free Palestine" ringing out in the distance.

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