Anti-war protesters and police clashed outside a defense exhibition in Australia's second-largest city of Melbourne on Wednesday, with dozens arrested as police used sponge grenades, flash-bang devices, and irritant sprays to control parts of the hostile crowd.
Police were pelted with rocks, horse manure, and bottles filled with liquid as they tried to protect attendees of the expo, some of whom were assaulted by protesters, a Victoria state police spokesperson said in a statement.
Two dozen police officers required medical treatment, and 39 people had been arrested for offenses including assaulting, obstructing or hindering police, arson, and blocking roads, Shane Patton, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, told a press conference.
Protesters lit fires in the street and disrupted traffic and public transport, while missiles were thrown at several police horses, but no serious injuries were reported, police said.
Protesters have spat at some police, while other officers have been sprayed with a liquid irritant, some of which was identified as acid, Patton added.
"This is the type of disgusting behavior that we saw today from a group who were intent on confronting us," he said.
Protesters clash with police
"If you wish to come and protest, do so peacefully. We will not tolerate criminal behavior." Authorities said about 1,200 people attended the protest outside the venue hosting the biennial Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition.
Many chanted pro-Palestine slogans through loudspeakers and waved Palestine flags, while others had signs and flags representing other conflicts and causes, the video showed.
Dumpsters were pushed toward police lines, and one protester climbed on top of a truck that was stopped at traffic lights. Australian media reported it was the largest police operation in Melbourne since 2000, when Australia's second-largest city hosted the World Economic Forum.
About 1,000 exhibiting organizations from 31 countries are expected to attend the event through Friday. The organizers said it was Australia's most prominent defense expo. Some attendees were doused in a red liquid by protesters, ABC News reported.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had the right to protest, but they must do so peacefully.
"You don't say you're opposed to defense equipment by throwing things at police. They've got a job to do, and our police officers should be respected at all times," Albanese told Channel Seven.