Palestine protests Melbourne Cup: no-nonsense police unleash pepper spray on Gaza protesters in Flemington – dragging activists away from the scene
- Pro-Palestinian activists have blocked access to the Melbourne Cup
- The police have arrested four people
Police have arrested four people and deployed pepper spray after a group of pro-Palestinian activists blocked the main entrance to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.
Police said about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters arrived at the Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale Rd and Racecourse Rd roundabout, west of Melbourne, around 11am on Tuesday.
The group gathered at the busy intersection, waving Palestinian flags and banners among traffic, pedestrians and trams.
Images posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday showed demonstrators being surrounded by police.
One protester could be seen lighting a flare while standing on a van with the words “free Palestine” written on it.
Pro-Palestinian activists blocked a main entrance for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse
A protester is seen lighting a flare while standing on a van with the words ‘free Palestine’ written on it
Police said the protest ’caused traffic disruptions at a key intersection on Melbourne Cup Day’
Another protester was dragged away by police as a crowd gathered.
Police were seen desperately trying to clear the road to allow traffic and pedestrians to flow through.
Police at one point formed a wall on the sidewalk in an attempt to keep the protesters at bay.
The group also sat on the side of the road.
The demonstrators chanted slogans such as ‘free, free Palestine’ and ‘ceasefire now’.
Local resident Josh McConnon was injured after being knocked to the ground by police.
Local man Josh McConnon was injured after being knocked to the ground by police
Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that four people had been arrested – three men and one woman – and taken to Melbourne West Police Station for treatment for resisting and obstructing police.
“A female protester arrived in a white van and climbed onto the roof, where for some time she did not follow police instructions to get down,” a police spokesperson said.
“While managing the non-compliant protesters, police sprayed protesters before arresting three of them, all of whom were men.
‘The woman who was sitting on top of the white van has also been arrested. The police arranged for the van to be towed away.”
Police drag a protester away from the scene outside Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday
Police stand guard outside Flemington Racecourse as protesters gathered on Tuesday
Police said the protest “caused traffic disruptions at a key intersection on Melbourne Cup Day.”
Police said the incident was resolved around 1:15 p.m. when they successfully dispersed protesters.
Traffic flow has reportedly improved through the intersection.