Anti-war protesters blockaded a major arterial road in Melbourne on Saturday, as residents are warned there could be more disruptions to come.
It’s anticipate the city’s biggest protest in 24 years could be held in the coming days, with up to 25,000 people expected to call on the government to shut down a military weapons convention.
“There’s no place for weapons in our town and people are calling for peace around the world,” protester Brad Homewood said.
The Montague Street off-ramp towards South Wharf was at a crawl by 2pm today as protesters descended.
One activist was locked onto a vehicle, with specialist police called in to set her free.
After about two hours of disruption, she and another woman in her 20s were arrested.
But their passion was met by fury from motorists.
”I reckon the protesters should get a job. I just finished work, I’m sure they can find work,” one motorist said.
“They’re just interrupting my job, I’m just going to do the delivery,” another added.
The activists want the Land Forces military weapons expo shut down.
The three-day event is scheduled to start on Wednesday at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
“Land Force is a one-stop genocide shop,” Homewood said.
“We’re here to say ‘not in our town. Not now, not ever’.”
Demonstrations like this will ramp up over the coming days as organisers hope to see 25,000 people protesting at the Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Police fear it could be the biggest protest Melbourne has seen in 24 years.
But the force is vowing to shut them down, with more than 1000 officers deployed to patrol the site.
Police will also be able to use special powers around the centre to move on civilians, conduct weapons searches and demand protesters to take off their masks.
