Chaos has erupted outside an international arms expo in Sydney, where protesters have clashed with police.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour on Tuesday morning, where a heavy police presence scrambled to hold back the large crowds shoving the metal barricades.
The fiery scenes unfolded as the three-day Indo Pacific International Maritime Expo kicked off.
Officers resorted to using pepper spray in an attempt to break up the crowd, forcing protesters to wash their eyes out with water.
Ten arrests were made.
Eight protesters were taken into custody while two were released without charges.
Many in the crowd were pro-Palestinian supporters, who were joined by several Greens MPs
‘War criminals not welcome here,’ protesters shouted.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the International Convention Centre (pictured), where the Indo-Pacific Weapons expo has kicked off
Police have made at least ten arrests so far
Many protesters felt the effects of pepper spray doused on the crowd
‘Chris Minns, blood on your hands, Albo, blood on your hands’.
A protest organiser told the Today show: ‘We’re here to peacefully protest against a convention of war criminals.
‘The United Nations has found genocide in Gaza. This convention is a clear breach of international law.
‘Everyone knows that, the government knows it, and here they are going ahead with it anyway, with a thousand cops to protect the war criminals.’
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees claimed that protesters were attacked by police and blamed NSW Premier Chris Minns on the fiery scenes.
‘We’re just trying to assemble for a peaceful protest, and the police attacked us with horses and pepper spray, you know, and arrest us,’ he told NCA Newswire.
‘This is absolutely despicable.
‘This is on Chris Minns. This is Chris Minns’ event. He sponsored it. He’s brought all these cops here to attack peaceful protesters. This is on him.’
Protesters were doused in water after police used pepper spray on the large crowd
A protester washes his eyes out after being pepper sprayed by police
A heavy police barricade remains in place
Many protesters had Palestinian flags and placards
The police operation remains ongoing.
‘Police will work with protesters to ensure there are no breaches of the peace and there is minimal impact to the community,’ a NSW Police statement read.
A heavy police presence is expected to remain at the scene for much of Tuesday.
‘Police are at the location to ensure the safety and security of delegates at the venue and the wider community,’ Sydney City Superintendent Paul Dunstan said.
‘Anyone not complying with police directions, or found to be breaching the peace, will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.’
Minns told ABC Radio that he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the protests.
The Premier added he was not responsible for invitations to the event and had no input into decisions regarding Australia’s relationships with foreign countries or arms manufacturers.
‘That’s the Commonwealth government’s responsibility, it’s not mine,’ Minns said.
‘What I would say is that they’re not selling nuclear weapons down at Darling Harbor this weekend. It’s a maritime conference relating to the navy.’
Officer scrambled to hold back the large crowd attempting to charge into the building
At least eight arrests have been made, despite protest organisers claiming it was intended to be a ‘peaceful’ demonstration
The protest comes a year after similar scenes in Melbourne, when thousands of demonstrators clashed with police and attendees at a major defence and weapons expo.
Protesters lit multiple fires near the expo, blocked traffic and climbed on top of a truck.
The NSW government is the principal sponsor of the biannual Indo Pacific event, the region’s premier commercial maritime and naval defence expo connecting Australian and international defence, industry, government, academia and technology leaders.
