About 3000 protesters attended the Free Palestine rally yesterday in the 35th week of consecutive demonstrations against the war in Gaza.
Rally attendees have accused Victoria Police of escalating tensions by deploying pepper spray on the crowd, with vision circulating on social media of officers and protesters clashing.
In a statement to 9news.com.au, Victoria Police said officers were “confronted with hostile and disgusting behaviour”, including having objects thrown at them and one officer spat on.
“At one point officers were attempting to obtain the identity of a person who ignited what appeared to be a flare when they were confronted by a crowd of about 200 protestors,” a spokesperson said.
“The group was extremely hostile and turned violent, throwing bottles and signs at police.”
Police confirmed pepper spray was subsequently deployed and the group dispersed.
Speaking to 3AW this morning, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni claimed pepper spray was used before tensions erupted.
“I’m very disappointed in the actions of a few police that decided at that moment 35 weeks later, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, of peaceful protesters that are marching for justice for Palestine…that he’d decided to engage his pepper spray,” he said.
Mashni argued a flare wasn’t lit during the protest and instead a smoke emitter device was used – a legal and safer alternative to flares.
He also claimed he was unaware of incidences where police were pelted with objects.
When asked by 3AW to clarify if he saw instances of police being pelted with bottles or signs, Mashni said” “I haven’t seen any vision of that”.
Mashni said he condemned violence whether it was from protesters or state forces.
“I condone no violence…there’s no room for any violence,” Mashni added.
“I’m against all violence…and from what I’ve seen there was a rash act by a police officer to engage his pepper spray without need and that vision is very clear from social media.”
Police said while no arrests were made yesterday investigators would be reviewing footage to identify offenders.
During the protests two police vehicles were also damaged, police said.
“Officers issued three infringement notices for illegally parked vehicles in the vicinity of the demonstration while one person was fined for climbing on top of a tram stop and another for bill posting,” police said.
“Victoria Police will continue to have a highly visible presence at future demonstrations in the city.
“While we support the right to protest peacefully we will not tolerate the kind of vulgar behaviour our officers were confronted with.”