Victorian Police Marching in LGBT Parade Pelted With Paintballs

Police gather near Flinders Station in Melbourne, Australia. Melanie Sun/The Epoch Times

Victorian Police will investigate the actions of up to 50 protestors who ambushed officers participating in the Midsumma Pride LGBT parade on Jan. 4.

One hundred police were marching in the event unarmed, including sworn officers, the pipe band, public servants, and protective services officers.

In video footage, a group wearing masks was seen throwing paintballs, and yelling abuse, including allegedly yelling the term, “queer killers.”

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton was among the thousands of people who were marching in the event in St Kilda.

The Victorian government condemned the group and said it was a “premeditated attack” on members of the police.

One 34-year-old man has been arrested for assaulting a spectator, and he was released pending further investigation.

Children were also marching alongside their parents as part of the Victoria Police group, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

Victorian Police said they were disappointed that people were intent on disrupting “what is a proud and inclusive day.”

“The protesters, who were acting not in the spirit of the event, chose to confront Victoria Police members who were unarmed,” the police told the Epoch Times.

Police Will Review the Footage

Victoria Police said it would continue to review footage of the incident to “determine if further police action is required.”

“Shortly after Victoria Police began their march, they were confronted by up to 50 protesters, about 1.50 p.m.

“The protesters surrounded the Victoria Police contingent on three sides, attempting to stop members from marching. They also threw a number of items at members. The protesters continued to surround the Victoria Police members when Public Order Response Team assisted in physically removing protesters from the area,” police said.

The police said it was the 22nd year that members have marched in uniform, joining the community in celebrating “inclusion, culture, respect and pride.”

Meanwhile, Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines condemned the group that attacked the police.

“The government condemns the behaviour of a small minority of people who chose to attack police,” he said in quotes cited by AAP.

“You don’t get to bring your views to the table and discuss them or promote them when you’re acting like a thug.

“Yesterday was just a concerted and premeditated attack on members of Victoria Police who were participating in a community event. Nobody accepts that. It’s not tolerated and there are no excuses for it. It should be condemned by the organisers without equivocation.”

Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto described the behavior as “ugly” and said it was unfortunate that police were maligned.

“It’s pretty ugly and unacceptable. The police officers who were there were joining in the spirit of the occasion, which is intended to be a celebration of our shared humanity,” Mr. Pesutto said on ABC Radio Melbourne.

“They were there for the right reasons and to be maligned in so terrible and appalling a manner is just unfortunate.”

‘Their Intent Was Clear’: Chief Commissioner

However, Chief Commissioner Patton described the protestors as “ugly rabble,” and said the group preplanned the confrontation ahead of the event.

“Their conduct, I have nothing but contempt for it. Yes, someone’s in a pig’s head. This was next level elevation. It was clear. Their intent was clear. It was preplanned,” he said on Nine News.

Midsumma Festival CEO Karen Bryant however, reportedly told media the event was escalated by “both sides.”

“We are highly disappointed by the disruption of the march and the escalation of events from both sides,” she said in quotes cited by Nine Newspapers.

However, Mr. Patton disputed this suggestion and said he was pleased with the amount of restraint shown by police given the pressure the public order response teams were placed under.

“We were subjected as we went along to threats, calling us ‘killers.’ There was paint thrown at police, there were paint bombs thrown at police—which landed on police officers,” he said on the ABC.

Mr. Patton said police were “trying to push them away,” and acknowledged there would be footage showing this taking place.

The Midsumma Festival parade had its largest-ever contingent with more than 400 groups participating.

“Pride March presents a chance for our community to come together in a vibrant display of rainbow pride,” the organisers said on Feb. 3.