Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has labelled the actions of a group of protesters who confronted police at the annual Midsumma Pride march as “abhorrent”.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who participated in the march, called the group of up to 50 people “an ugly rabble”. He said there was a premeditated decision to throw paint at police participating in the event in St Kilda.
“We were subjected as we went along to threats, calling us killers. There was paint thrown at police, there were paint bombs thrown at police – which landed on police officers,” Chief Commissioner Patton said.
“You don’t make those when you’re standing in the street at the time. You come premeditated when you do that.”
Chief Commissioner Patton said police members attempted to push the group back, which he said had infiltrated police lines.
“Police were trying to push them away, an unfortunately there’ll be footage that shows that occurring. And it looks very confrontational. And that shouldn’t be the case,” he said.
Chief Commissioner Patton said the 100 unarmed members taking part showed restraint and he has “nothing but contempt” for the group.
Nevo Zisin, who filmed the confrontation and said they were somewhat involved in today’s protest, told ABC News that police tore banners, pushed protesters and threw punches.
“It was quite a surprising escalation. I mean, we just, we were not intending… there was nothing violent that was planned at all.
“Our intention was literally just to walk in front of them, so that it would be raised awareness that we rejected police in midsummer.”
Nevo, who uses they/them pronouns, said many of those taking part in today’s protest disagree with allowing police to participate in the march.
“But I think many, many people who are involved in the disruption today fundamentally rejects the corporatisation of pride. You know, pride started as a protest.
“It was started by mostly trans women of colour, who are at the frontline who have been fighting for their rights over and over again.”
Nevo said some people forgot the darker history of how pride marching began in the 1970s in Australia.
“I feel like so much of this history is forgotten. So much of this is lost of how these movements came to be,” they said.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested in relation to an assault that police allege took place in the proximity of the marching police contingent.