Large crowd of protesters gather at Land Forces defence expo in Melbourne’s CBD

• A massive group of protesters and police are outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre where a major defence and weapons expo is being held.

• Hundreds of officers have been called in for what Victoria Police say is their biggest operation since the S11 protests outside the World Economic Forum in Melbourne 24 years ago.
• Police and protesters are expected to remain on scene in large numbers throughout the conference.

Thousands of protesters have gathered since the early hours in Melbourne’s CBD to demonstrate outside the biennial Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition.

The convention is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), attracting hundreds of defence and weapons companies from around the world.

Although not open to the general public, tens of thousands of attendees are expected to walk through the doors.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the conference venue before dawn on Wednesday, chanting pro-Palestine slogans through a loud speaker, before marching off through the CBD streets.

Their numbers quickly swelled as the crowds returned to the convention centre where they were met by mounted police and riot squad officers.

Hundreds of regional police officers have travelled to Melbourne for the event, which Victoria Police said will be their most significant operation in more than 20 years.

A large group of officers is barricading the street outside the conference.

Police have set up a checkpoint across the road from the venue to check the credentials of delegates.

Some protesters are yelling at delegates as they get their identities checked.

Police deployment to cost in the millions

Treasurer Tim Pallas said it would cost the state over $10 million to deploy extra police at the expo.

One of the protest group organisers, Anneke Demanuele from Students for Palestine said the protesters aimed to be peaceful but she also vowed to try to shut down the conference, including linking arms as delegates tried to enter the event.

“It’s absolutely outrageous that reportedly $10 million has been spent on this police presence,” she said.

“I think it’s outrageous that they’ve brought riot police from New South Wales into Melbourne.”

The march and protest are causing disruption to traffic and public transport in the CBD.

Some trams have had to change their routes and drivers are being urged to avoid the city or follow the instructions of police at all times.

Protesters have blocked a key intersection at Lorimer St and Convention Centre Place, near the entrance to the West Gate Freeway, as police on foot and horseback stopped the group from spreading further.

One driver stopped at the intersection said: “It’s their right to protest. It’s part of democracy, isn’t it.”

Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri said she will miss Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting day to attend the protest outside the MCEC.

“When there are crises like the ones we are facing, and the government is doing absolutely nothing to de-escalate the crises, that’s worth taking an hour or two off work and school,” Ms de Vietri said on Tuesday.