Pro-Palestine demonstrations descend on CBD – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Meanwhile, two people who were allegedly tampering with traffic lights at the intersection of Victoria and Nicholson streets in Carlton just before 8am were arrested for criminal damage.

Around 200 protesters gathered on the steps of Parliament House from 8am on and marched through the city to protest against the government’s partnership with Israel-based military technology company and defence contractor Elbit Systems.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags and many wore keffiyehs as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. They carried signs saying “Elbit’s business: Blood”, “Stop arming Israel”, “Jam the war machine” and “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea”.

Greens leader Samantha Ratnam spoke at the rally and said the Labor government should stop doing deals with weapons manufacturers.

“This will be one of the most defining moments, all of our lifetimes, potentially generations to come,” she said.

“Like the protests against the Vietnam War, like the hundreds of thousands who marched through the streets in Australia and around the world against the Iraqi war and occupation. History will study how the world responds now.”

Ratnam asked protesters to sign a petition calling on the Allan government to end deals with weapons manufacturers. She said…