Source : Perth Now news
Anti-war activists planning a large protest outside a controversial weapons expo vow not to repeat the violence that marred the last event.
Thousands of protesters are expected to rally in Perth on Tuesday on the first day of the nation’s largest land defence industry exhibition, Land Forces 2026.
“We’ve made it clear our protest will be entirely peaceful,” WA Anti-War Collective spokesman Sam Wainwright told AAP.
“I don’t believe there’ll be any violent protest of any sort.”
Protesters and police violently clashed at Land Forces 2024 in Melbourne, when dozens were arrested, and 27 police officers were injured.
It was alleged some protesters threw rocks, projectiles, liquid which smelt of vomit, horse manure, eggs and liquid irritants at police and conference attendees.
Wheelie bins were also set alight, and food-grade acid and glass bottles were allegedly hurled at police barricades.
The conference, which runs for three days until Thursday, will bring together thousands of interstate and international delegates, including high-ranking government and military officials.
The latest weaponry will also be on display, as Australia continues to bolster its defences amid increasing economic and military competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
The organisers say the event, which is not open to the public, offers an opportunity to “explore capability, hear from sector leaders, and connect with key decision-makers across defence, government and industry”.
Mr Wainwright said protesters were opposed to the government’s plan to make Australia a major weapons manufacturing country.
“It’s been the stated intention of the Labor and Liberal parties for over a decade now to make Australia in the top 10 of weapons exporters,” he said.
“We completely disagree, and we don’t think the industry should have social licence in the form that it does through Land Forces.”
The protest will target several Australian weapons manufacturers exporting their product overseas.
“To states that are known to break international law and international humanitarian law,” Mr Wainwright said.
“The biggest destination of Australian arms exports in the Middle East is, in fact, the (United Arab Emirates), a key player in the civil war in Sudan, which has killed as many as 400,000 civilians.
“Then, of course, there’s Australia’s bilateral military ties with Israel, which contradict the obligation for Australia to do everything in its power to prevent the commission of a genocide.”
WA police powers have been bolstered for the conference.
Officers can search people’s bags and vehicles and establish checkpoints, cordons and roadblocks.
Police can also seize prohibited items deemed to be a safety risk.
