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Inside Melbourne’s violent anti-war protests

The protesters' claims to be campaigning for peace were undermined by their preparedness for conflict. As an Australian Jew, I was afraid of what they might do.
Ben Bresley
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Published: 12 September 2024

Last updated: 12 September 2024

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.

A protester pushes his body up against a Land Forces delegate, in an attempt to block him from entering the expo (Image: Ben Bresley).
A protester pushes his body up against a Land Forces delegate, in an attempt to block him from entering the expo (Image: Ben Bresley).

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.

Mounted police attempting to control the crowd (Ben Bresley).
Mounted police attempting to control the crowd (Ben Bresley).

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.

Keffiyeh clad protesters watch fires set by the protesters (Image: Ben Bresley).
Keffiyeh clad protesters watch fires set by the protesters (Image: Ben Bresley).

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.

One of the 42 arrests police made during the protest (Image: Ben Bresley).
One of the 42 arrests police made during the protest (Image: Ben Bresley).

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About the author

Ben Bresley

Ben Bresley is a Melbourne-based photographer and creative projects manager. With over a decade of experience in events management, he has developed a keen eye for observing the intimacy of human experiences, which he translates into impactful visual storytelling through his photography.

Comments4

  • Avatar of Rachel Holt

    Rachel Holt13 September at 01:38 am

    I’m so sorry you experienced this. This was insightful to read.

  • Avatar of Tahlia

    Tahlia12 September at 09:48 pm

    I’m sorry that you felt unsafe Ben, but this article underplays the role of police in yesterday’s violence. Police used pepper spray indiscriminately, carried out violent arrests and charged horses into crowds of people, injuring protestors. The Government have pulled police from across Victoria for this, and they’re manning the CBD in their thousands. Surely we can agree this is a disproportionate response.

    Protestors were prepared for indiscriminate policing tactics because this has all been done before. Pepper spray escalates incidents (see the IBAC review). Does the fact that protestors came prepared to defend themselves against this really mean they can’t be pro-peace?

  • Avatar of Deb

    Deb12 September at 08:57 am

    It breaks my heart as an Australian to see the anger against Australians who happen to have Jewish roots or Jews in general. Some that protest enjoy it. Some don’t fully understand that they are actually supporting Hamas. To see the Hamas type scarves is disturbing.

  • Avatar of Dennis Altman

    Dennis Altman12 September at 07:11 am

    A moving account and I have no sympathy for the rioters. But where’s the evidence that you were hated “as a Jew”?—that may be the case but let’s see concrete evidence

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