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Busker attacked by pro-Palestinian protester as Melbourne faces biggest protest in decades

A violent attack on buskers by pro-Palestinian protesters on Sunday was the curtain raiser for a week of protest against the Land Forces arms conference.
Ben Bresley
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Man wrapped in keffiyah stepping on electronic equipment

A protester attempts to step on the equipment of a busker, setting off a fracas in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall (Ben Bresley)

Published: 10 September 2024

Last updated: 10 September 2024

Melbourne is bracing for what could be its largest protest since the 2000 World Economic Forum, as pro-Palestinian groups and other anti-war protesters aim to disrupt the three-day Land Forces Exposition.

Billed by organisers as Australia's largest defence industry event, Land Forces includes a weapons exhibition, a defence industry conference and awards for innovative defence technology.

The protest coalition Disrupt Land Forces describes it as a "one-stop genocide shop," and has organised a week-long protest. The main event will be on Wednesday when police anticipate up to 25,000 protesters. Their demands include shutting down the conference and that the Australian Government stops arming Israel.

Pro-Palestinian groups form a large proportion of those driving the protest coalition, among them the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, Unionists for Palestine, Students for Palestine, the Loud Jew Collective, and Jews Against Fascism.

Sunday's iternation of the weekly pro-Palestinian rally was recast as the start of the week-long protest campaign and provided a taste of what may be to come.

The rally turned violent when protesters clashed with buskers on Bourke Street outside David Jones. Protesters demanded the buskers stop their performance and declare their support for "the children of Gaza".

Pro-Palestine protesters block a tram in Melbourne on Sunday (Image: Ben Bresley).
Pro-Palestine protesters block a tram in Melbourne on Sunday (Image: Ben Bresley).

Busker Cam Nicholson wrote on his GoFundMe page that he and his partner Konstantin were preparing to move when they were attacked.

"When we stopped our performance and started packing up, a protester began chanting into a microphone. We tried to communicate with him, saying, "We don’t have a problem with your cause; just let us move our equipment.

"In response, another protester mocked us, gestured rudely, and swore at us. This individual attempted to step on my pedal board. In self-defence of my expensive equipment—which I rely on for my livelihood—I moved the protester away. This action triggered an aggressive reaction from the protest group.

"A mob of protesters then violently attacked Konstantin and me, an incident captured on camera by Konstantin. Cam was struck in the face with a steel flagpole, shattering his glasses and narrowly missing his eye. During the chaos, the police intervened, but our equipment was severely damaged—crushed and kicked around, as shown in the video footage."

Two men were arrested for alleged assault on police officers during the incident, and David Jones was forced to close its doors.

Chants of "all Zionists are terrorists" and "f**k Israel" were heard during the rally. These slogans, alongside online propaganda encouraging "globalizing the intifada," have raised concerns about antisemitism masquerading as anti-war sentiment.


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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.

Comments2

  • Avatar of Hobbie Mezzantine

    Hobbie Mezzantine20 September at 02:13 pm

    Melinda, with due respect, anyone who support the indigenous people are good people. Ask the indigenous people if the Muslims treat them with respect and dignity, and the indigenous people will say yes, that’s the case.

    Ask them if the white Aussies treat them with respect and dignity, and their answers will differ.

    The indigenous people will be the truest judge on who the hateful ones are.

    The Muslims were the ones who sheltered the Jews when the Jews are facing persecutions from the Christians.

    The same way the Muslims show love and support to the indigenous people when the white Aussies spit on them on a daily basis

  • Avatar of Melinda Cook

    Melinda Cook13 September at 08:02 am

    This is what happens when we immigrate hateful Muslims to a peaceful western country.

The Jewish Independent acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and strive to honour their rich history of storytelling in our work and mission.

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