Thousands gather in Melbourne for Women’s March 4 Justice

Thousands of women have started streaming into Treasury Gardens in Melbourne for protest action as part of the Women’s March 4 Justice.

Police, on foot and on horseback, were at corners of Treasury Gardens for the action, which organisers said now has approval for 5000 people to attend.

Thousands of protesters are gathering at Treasury Gardens to demand action on violence against women. Credit:Eddie Jim

The crowd, mostly women, was swelling ahead of the official start time of noon.

The official Melbourne action does not include a march. Protesters were instead laying down picnic rugs ahead of speeches, though a splinter group plans to march to the Victorian Liberal Party headquarters.

The Melbourne Women’s March 4 Justice has been approved for 5000 people under COVID-19 rules, the organisers have confirmed. It previously had a permit for 1000 people, but that was extended on Monday morning.

About 13,000 people have registered their interest in attending at Treasury Gardens from noon, though organisers have asked for people to consider showing their support in other ways including online.

Two 14-year-old girls among the crowd carried a placard: “Our childhood is shaped by misogyny.”

Anneke Demanuele, a member of the National Union of Students Executive, said she initiated the breakaway march to Liberal headquarters because she was disappointed the Melbourne action would not include a march and that organisers were seeking to limit the number of attendees to abide by COVID-19 permits.

The splinter group will attend the sit-in before breaking off to the Victorian Liberal headquarters as well as the Melbourne Club, a social club that bans women from being members.

In a statement, former federal MP Julia Banks said the nationwide rallies were “our collective voice”.

“This is one of the most defining moments for Australian women because it’s driven by the most powerful force that makes up 51 per cent of our population; women.”

Sue Anne Hunter, a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman from SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care) and co-chair of Family Matters, said Aboriginal women had long-suffered gendered violence perpetrated by white men.

“Our people die at the hands of law enforcement every week. The allegations, cover up and silence on gendered violence in Parliament is part of the same system of abuse and same lack of legal or political consequences. Enough is Enough.”

Organisers are asking attendees to wear face masks and bring hand sanitiser to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.

More to come.

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