Melbourne Protests Escalate With Police, Tradie Showdown On Westgate Bridge
Jack Paynter and Rhiannon Tuffield
Angry construction workers and anti-lockdown protesters have caused chaos across Melbourne, with violent and unruly rallies shutting down major roads.
Victoria Police have made 62 arrests in response to the “challenging and confronting” confrontations, with between 1000 and 2000 people taking to the streets.
No community members were hurt but one reporter was attacked multiple times and three police officers were injured.
Police Commissioner Shane Patton is urging people to stay away from any future rallies.
Protesters ran into oncoming traffic in a bid to flee from police, as riot squads attempted to thwart the day’s chaotic rally.
Scenes turned violent in the city after tradies stormed and shut down the West Gate Bridge, clashing with police in South Wharf.
Chaotic vision showed protesters pelting objects at police cars and smashing windows, while police drove at the crowd and fired rubber bullets.
This is seriously out of control and someone is going to get hurt. #GoHome now #Melbourne#protestspic.twitter.com/jgbpIKWMQx
— NÃal Ó Fionnagáin (@NialFinegan) September 21, 2021
The dramatic clashes came after hundreds of people marched through the city before taking over the bridge, where they lit flares, sang rock songs and screamed profanities.
As protesters walked back down the bridge towards the city, they were greeted by riot police, who unloaded rubber bullets and pepper spray.
Some protesters walked into oncoming traffic in the opposite lanes to avoid the barrage, while others fled into nearby bushes.
Anti-vax protesters block the West Gate Freeway on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, protesters dressed in fluoros faced off with police outside Queen Victoria Market as they tried to return to the CFMEU office for the second day of demonstrations.
Organisers encouraged people attending to “wear work gear” and said the protests would continue until their demands were met.
Protesters yelled obscene chants while throwing water bottles and swearing at police.
Some protesters could be seen drinking alcohol while others sat down on the road, but police prevented them from getting near the CFMEU building.
Construction workers prepare to protest against the CFMEU and the construction industry shutdown on Tuesday.
Police question tradies outside the CFMEU offices in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Riot police warned protesters to move on or face the use of force.
The protesters made their way to Parliament House, where they were again confronted by riot police armed with ballistic shields.
Protesters walk through central Melbourne after yesterday’s violent protests outside the CFMEU against mandatory vaccinations for workers on building sites.
The ugly riots came after angry protesters stormed the CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne’s CBD on Monday, trashing the building and screaming at union officials over mandatory vaccinations and restrictions.
The construction union vowed to hunt down those responsible for “desecrating” their office during the violent anti-vax protests.
Union boss John Setka vowed to hunt down those responsible for damaging union property.
Protesters abuse police as they walk through central Melbourne.
CFMEU boss John Setka said genuine tradies who were involved in damaging the union’s Elizabeth St headquarters would not have a job to come back to after lockdown.
“We’ve got video footage, we’ve identified a lot of people and there will be consequences out of this,” Mr Setka said.
“I will not tolerate people throwing bottles of alcohol at other people, and damaging union property.”
Protesters walk through central Melbourne.
Police outside Flinders Street Station in Melbourne.
Former opposition leader Bill Shorten labelled some of the group ‘man baby Nazis’.
The Victorian government has shut down the construction sector for two weeks in response to the riots and noncompliance with Covid restrictions in the building industry.
The shutdown applies to metropolitan Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire, including government projects such as level crossing removal sites.
