Climate activist says she was hit with a baton by police at the Convention Centre in Melbourne

Climate activist complains that she was hit with a baton by police – but officers claim it is the demonstrators who are being violent as ANOTHER day of protests begins

  • Emma Black claims she was grabbed and struck with a baton by the police
  • She said she had never seen ‘this kind of aggression’ after 10 years of protesting
  • Ms Black is among 100 protesters outside Melbourne’s Convention Centre 
  • Over 60 protesters have been arrested by police officers on various offences 

A climate change activist claims a cop grabbed and struck her with a baton several times at a protest – but police say there weren’t the ones being violent. 

Emma Black was one of about 100 protesters gathered outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne on Thursday.

‘I’ve been an activist for 10 years. I haven’t seen this kind of aggression before,’ Ms Black told Sunrise on Thursday, ahead of a third day of protests outside a mining conference.

Demonstrators continue to hold a blockade during a third day of protests against the International Mining and Resources Conference on Thursday

About 100 protesters gathered outside the Convention and Exhibition centre in Melbourne on Thursday

About 100 protesters gathered outside the Convention and Exhibition centre in Melbourne on Thursday

Police have arrested more than 60 protesters on various offences, including animal cruelty against a horse.

On Wednesday, about 300 protesters tried to block access and some glued themselves to the ground or shimmied up poles.

Police say the activists’ tactics had escalated since the conference began on Tuesday.

One group put on goggles, masks and raincoats and covered themselves in wet paint to deter Victoria Police officers from touching them after multiple arrests earlier in the week. 

Officers have warned they’ll ‘respond’ if protesters continue trying to stop delegates from entering the International Mining and Resources Conference. 

Ms Black claimed she was complying with police instructions when she was hit. 

‘I put both hands up, which is a universal signal of submission and as I was trying to move away from the action and comply with police, I was grabbed and struck by an officer repeatedly,’ Ms Black said. 

‘Now that particular police officer was then pulled back and told off for doing so.’  

More than 60 protesters have been arrested by police officers on various offences (pictured: climate change activists outside the Convention Centre, Melbourne)

More than 60 protesters have been arrested by police officers on various offences (pictured: climate change activists outside the Convention Centre, Melbourne)

Police presence has been strong throughout the three days of protests against the activities of mining and resources companies in Melbourne

Police presence has been strong throughout the three days of protests against the activities of mining and resources companies in Melbourne  

Ms Black has claimed mining corporations have ‘slaughtered thousands of people and displaced Indigenous communities’ and ‘continued to destroy the climate’.  

‘I’ve repeatedly said everyday in every interview that we support a sustainable transition to green jobs. That’s what we’re here for,’ Ms Black said. 

‘Those companies are not engaging in that transition right now. We want to put pressure on them on exactly that.

‘We want the Daniel Andrews Government to take serious action on climate change. We want them to transition from fossil fuels straight away.’ 

Scenes were chaotic outside the Convention Centre attended by about 100 protesters

Scenes were chaotic outside the Convention Centre attended by about 100 protesters 

Climate activist Emma Black (pictured), claims police repeatedly struck her with a baton during Tuesday's demonstration

Climate activist Emma Black (pictured), claims police repeatedly struck her with a baton during Tuesday’s demonstration

While Ms Black accused police of ‘atrocious’ treatment of protesters, Victoria Police says its officers are doing their job in a ‘measured’ way. 

Commander Libby Murphy said protesters were becoming ‘more violent’ as the protests went on.

‘Victoria Police’s view is that we are not heavy handed and we’re responding to the actions that the protesters have initiated,’ Commander Murphy said, as reported by the ABC.

‘We are doing things lawfully and we are doing things in line with policy and anything that is of a concern to anyone we will review and make our own assessment.’

Commander Murphy said protesters had spat at police. 

Officers have used capsicum spray to break up the crowds. At least two protesters made it inside the meeting of the International Mining and Resources conference, with one storming the stage before being removed.  

The protest will wrap-up on Thursday ahead of an Extinction Rebellion Youth-led march in the CBD from 10am and another rally in the evening.

A conference organiser said security coverage for the three-day meeting is ‘constantly being updated as we take advice from Victoria Police’.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment.

Police officers broke up crowds at the demonstration throughout the three days of protests

Police officers broke up crowds at the demonstration throughout the three days of protests

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