Victoria Police have arrested two people and released images of several others they hope to identify as part of an ongoing investigation into a violent Melbourne protest last month in which officers were allegedly assaulted.
Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad have been examining the events of Oct. 19, when counter-protesters clashed with police during the “March for Australia” rally in the CBD.
It’s alleged members of the counter-protest group hurled rocks, glass bottles and rotten fruit at officers, leaving two police members hospitalised.
Two men were arrested this week after detectives executed a series of warrants.
A 21-year-old Port Melbourne man was charged on Nov. 25 with two counts of assaulting police and two counts of hindering police.
On the same day, a 56-year-old Kilsyth man was charged with assault police and hinder police.
Both were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May. 26.
Police said the investigation has now resulted in three people being charged, and further identification is expected.
Images of six more people, many wearing masks or face coverings, have been released as detectives appeal for information.
Debate Over Mask Rules
The violent scenes have reignited debate over protest regulations in Victoria.The Allan Labor government has watered down its earlier pledge to ban face masks at protests, citing the risk of legal challenges.
Instead of an outright ban, new laws introduced to parliament allow police to order a protester to remove a mask only if they are committing, or are about to commit, a criminal offence.
Meanwhile, further protests against migration policy are expected to continue as the “Put Australia First” group plans rallies this weekend in Sydney and Melbourne.
Organiser Monica Smit said the Sydney march will take place on Nov. 29 from Belmore Park to Town Hall, followed by a Melbourne rally on Nov. 30 from Flinders Street to Flagstaff Gardens.
She said the movement has three key demands: immigration reform, freedom from an enforced digital ID, and affordable energy.
Smit also confirmed organisers will not allow extremist groups near the microphone after a neo-Nazi supporter spoke at a previous rally.
“We’ve had our speakers around for about two to three weeks. There is no such thing as an open mic at a rally with 20,000 people,” she told 2GB radio.
