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Police have detained five individuals after around 300 students from high schools and universities missed classes to protest against the conflict in Gaza, blocking traffic in Melbourne’s central business district.
A heated standoff developed between the demonstrators and authorities near Flinders Street Station, as the protesters positioned themselves in the center of the bustling intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets around 3 pm.
Police said one male was moved on for breaching the peace and five protesters were arrested for obstructing the roadway.
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They are expected to be charged on summons.
The protest, which was organised by Students for Palestine and the National Union of Students, began about 2pm outside the State Library.
The crowd of several hundred people then marched to Flinders Street Station.
The demonstrators called for Australia to cease military commerce with Israel and urged universities to halt research and investments related to the defense industry.
“Our politicians continue to enable Israel’s crimes in Gaza,” National Union of Students Education Office James McVicar said in a statement.
“They are sending critical aircraft components that allow Israel to rain terror from the sky. We are taking matters into our own hands on August 7.”
Tram services were halted around Flinders Street Station but have since resumed, with Flinders Street back up and running.
