Credit: Chris Hopkins
I am appalled by the violence we witnessed during today’s protests. While everyone has the right to express their views, what unfolded on Melbourne’s streets was unacceptable. Police officers, doing their jobs to maintain order, were attacked. Fences were torn down, and even police horses were pelted with rocks.
The deliberate sabotage of heavy vehicles, cutting air lines to disable brakes, could have led to catastrophic consequences. This reckless endangerment put not only truck drivers but also pedestrians and other road users at severe risk.
While I respect the right to protest, the behaviour we saw today has no place in our city.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has rightly called out the hypocrisy of those involved in these violent acts. You cannot claim to be anti-war while engaging in violence against those sworn to protect public safety. It’s a disgrace, and it undermines the very message these protesters claim to stand for.
Melbournians deserve to feel safe, whether they’re attending an event or simply going about their daily lives. What we saw today is not only irresponsible, but it also poses a significant threat to public safety.
Emotions may run high, but there is absolutely no excuse for endangering others. Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our society, but today’s actions crossed a dangerous line. Violence and chaos are not acceptable forms of expression.
There’s no room for the type of behaviour we’ve seen today. Let me be clear: violence and chaos are not the way forward. We are a community that values respect, safety, and the hard work of Victoria Police, and those values are what we must protect.
The City of Melbourne must consider additional measures, in consultation with the State government, Victoria police and relevant stakeholders, to help ensure the violence we witnessed today never happens again.
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