Melbourne Land Forces exposition: Police brace for major escalation with anti-war protester on Bourke St

Police are bracing for a major escalation on Melbourne streets as activists continue to protest a weapons show for a second day.

On Wednesday, thousands of activists took to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre at South Wharf to protest the Land Forces International Land Defence exposition.

Ugly scenes erupted as acid, vomit and horse faeces were used as weapons against police. Bricks were hurled as projectiles and bins and crates were set alight.

A few hundred activists returned to the streets near the Exhibition Centre on Thursday morning but reportedly scattered when police announced they were conducting weapons searches in the area.

According to The Herald Sun, two bags of marbles and a handful of banners were seized by police.

Police are preparing for another afternoon of chaos on the streets.

Protesters are already in the city but are reportedly planning a major escalation from 4.30pm on Thursday.

It is understood activists plan to rally near Bourke Street Mall in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, which is likely to cause havoc for commuters heading home after work. There are fears the action could cripple the public transport system during peak hour.

After a violent first day of protests, organisers took to the encrypted messaging service Telegram to encourage participants to “keep going”.

“We are the most radical part of the resistance on this continent and we have to hold those complicit to account,” the organisers wrote.

“We are making history, our resistance and display today shows us a glimpse of what we can do when we get together for a just cause.”

Organisers also thanked Greens Senator David Shoebridge for supporting their cause and raising concerns about the police response in the parliament on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the federal opposition has called on parliament to condemn the violent protests.

Deakin MP Michael Sukkar tried to move a motion on Thursday morning condemning the conduct of violent protesters who allegedly attacked police and horses, destroyed property and disrupted law-abiding Victorians and businesses.

The motion called on state and federal authorities to charge and prosecute the violent protesters. It also acknowledged the “physical and emotional toll” the demonstrations had on police and emergency services.

“People around Australia are looking at Victoria and saying ‘that is not who we are and that is not the sort of country that we want’,” Mr Sukkar told parliament.

“That’s why we need leadership from this government.

“No more of this softly-softly business with these protesters.”

While Labor shut down the attempt to debate the motion, Premier Jacinta Allan called out the protesters for bringing “conflict an division” to the streets of Melbourne.

“Your intent is not to peacefully protest, indeed your motives are exposed and those motives are to drive further conflict and division here on the streets of Melbourne,” she said.

“That is unacceptable, totally unacceptable.”