Mass Arrests and Allegations of Police Misconduct After Melbourne Anti-War Protest

Over 110 protesters have been arrested following the Land Forces Expo demonstrations, with claims of excessive police force and legal challenges emerging.

• The Land Forces Expo in Melbourne, a large defense industry event, sparked significant anti-war protests in September, leading to violent clashes between police and activists.
• Victoria Police arrested 110 individuals, with 89 detained during the protests and 21 apprehended in subsequent home raids, some of which involved heavy-handed tactics.
• Protesters and legal advocates have accused police of excessive force, including the use of rubber bullets, pepper spray, and physical violence, with several protesters sustaining serious injuries.
• Legal experts and activists are considering a potential class action against Victoria Police, alleging human rights violations and misuse of police powers to suppress protests.
• The Victorian government and police have defended their actions, citing violent behavior by protesters, while concerns grow over the broader implications for the right to peaceful assembly in Australia.

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