Retail giant Myer has cancelled its annual Christmas window unveiling in Melbourne following threats from pro-Palestinian protesters, who later called off their planned rally.
A representative of the activist group Disrupt Wars said the “Crash the Christmas Windows” action scheduled for Nov. 17 would no longer proceed in light of Myer’s cancellation.
Myer’s decision to cancel the celebration came after Disrupt Wars encouraged supporters to disrupt the event. Held annually in Melbourne’s busy Bourke Street Mall, the Christmas event draws large crowds, with families from across Victoria coming to enjoy the Christmas Windows display.
While the windows will still be decorated, Myer chose to cancel the unveiling ceremony and associated festivities out of concern for public safety.
Victoria police had previously requested the activist group to reconsider their plans, but Disrupt Wars initially proceeded with calls for supporters to bring banners, flags, signs, props, and make loud noises.
“Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred,” the group stated.
They also urged supporters to “inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide.”
“The Myer Christmas Windows are an important tradition in Melbourne’s calendar, with families from across Victoria coming into the city to see them,” police said. “While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community.”
A Myer spokesperson said cancelling the event was the only option to guarantee the safety of customers and staff.
“In light of recent developments and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street Mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows,” the company said on Nov. 14.
“Myer’s Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.”
The cancellation of Myer’s event angered Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who accused the protest group of “choosing to politicise Christmas.”
“We can’t let these sorts of ugly protests ruin these beautiful Christmas traditions,” she said. “Blocking Christmas windows is not going to change one single thing in the Middle East.
“This is a really small group of people who are choosing to politicise Christmas, to politicise a beautiful event.”
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece also asked demonstrators to reconsider.
“If there’s any good that can come out of this conversation ... it’s that the protesters realise that this is a really dumb thing to do and that they decide to do something different this weekend rather than upset the Melbourne tradition,” he said.
Russian Jewish immigrant Sidney Myer established Myer in the early 20th century, and 56 shops still operate around Australia.
