Melbourne protest violence: Police injured, charges laid after alleged assaults at CBD anti-immigration rally
Two people have been charged after allegedly assaulting police during a city protest, where rocks and glass were hurled at officers.
Melbourne’s CBD descended into chaos when counter-protesters clashed with police during the anti-immigration March for Australia demonstration on October 19.
Officers were confronted by protesters hurling rocks, bottles, broken glass and rotten fruit, which left two members taken to the hospital.
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A 21-year-old man and 56-year-old man have since been charged with assaulting police and hindering police.
The pair were bailed to appear before the court in May.
Police continue to investigate and have released images of six more people they want to speak with, many wearing masks.
“The investigation has now led to a total of three people being charged, with police continuing to seek the public’s assistance to identify those involved,” a police spokesperson said.
The state’s Labor government watered down a promise from December to ban the use of face masks at protests over fears of a legal challenge.
Legislation introduced to the Victorian parliament will instead allow police to order masks to be removed if a protester is committing or about to commit a criminal offence.
