Wild scenes as women’s rights protesters and pro-trans activists start a street brawl

By NICK WILSON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 11:37 BST, 26 April 2025 | Updated: 12:49 BST, 26 April 2025

The streets of Melbourne plunged into chaos this afternoon after pro-trans activists clashed with police and other members of the public while two peeople were arrested.

Four police officers were also treated for non-life threatening injuries following the protests involving an estimated 440 activists. 

Pro-trans counter-protesters gathered to play drums and chant loudly during a separate rally hosted by Women’s Voices Australia on the steps of Parliament House on Saturday morning. 

The women’s rights group attended to challenge the Allan Government’s proposed expansion of anti-vilification laws which they claimed undermined freedom of speech. 

They found themselves outnumbered by the counter-protestors, some of whom carried posters reading: ‘Cops kill queers, queers kill cops,’ ‘Vic Pol protects Nazis’ and ‘Trans exclusionary radical fascists.’

Authorities prepared for the clash ahead of time, with riot police outside parliament and a designated search area in force near the rally. 

A spokesperson for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia officers had to form ‘multiple lines’ to keep the groups separate as protesters began throwing missiles at police. 

The spokesperson did not say which group threw the missiles. 

Officers are pictured clashing with protestors beside a tram in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday

Police officers engaged with protestors in streets surrounding Melbourne’s Parliament House following the rally  

A woman is pictured with a bag raised over her head as bystanders looked on in shock

Things only escalated when a group of about 40 protestors began marching through nearby streets, blocking busy intersections with wooden pallets and swarming local retailers. 

Police arrested a 37-year-old Brunswick East woman for unlawful assault and wilful damage and a 41-year-old Footscray man for indictable assault of police. 

Officers had to buy water-filled barriers to separate the groups and prevent the violence from escalating. 

Shocking footage showed several protesters trading blows before others tore at the arms of arresting officers. 

Former Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick was filmed being shoved to the ground on Spring Street before wagging his finger and declaring to reporters: ‘I want him arrested for assault.’

He was reported to have earlier been escorted from the front steps of Parliament House carrying a transgender flag. 

A group of young men yelled ‘f*** trans rights’ while following the protestors to the lawn outside the State Library. 

Following an altercation, the men were chased down Swanston Street and into an alleyway, The Age reported. 

Search powers remained in force in the area until 8pm while officers continued to review CCTV footage to determine if more arrests needed to be made. 

Officers watched as an individual walked past with raised middle fingers

Protestors carried signs reading: ‘Vic Pol protects Nazis’, ‘Cops kill queers, queers kill cops,’ and ‘Trans exclusionary radical fascists

Officers conducted 38 searches to remove face coverings and search for weapons, though none were found. 

Search powers remained in force in the area until 8pm while officers continued to review CCTV footage to determine if more arrests needed to be made.

‘Victoria Police respects the right for people to protest peacefully however we have zero tolerance for those who threaten the safety of the community and police,’ a police spokesperson said. 

‘Police will now review CCTV vision from the rally and will investigate any further offences detected.’

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Wild scenes as women’s rights protesters and pro-trans activists start a street brawl

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