A pro-Palestinian protester who attended the Carols by Candlelight extravaganza in Melbourne on Christmas Eve later boasted about her antics online.
The woman stormed the stage at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Sunday and stole the microphone from Channel Nine presenters David Campbell and Sarah Abo before shouting 'while you're singing, children are dying in Gaza'.
She and another protester, who also waved the Palestinian flag, were then dragged away by security as the crowd chased the couple from the stage.
One of the women was arrested and given an infringement notice for possession of a controlled weapon, while the other was ordered out by officers.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the microphone-grabbing protester, who goes by the online pseudonym @violentwaitress, is a member of pro-Palestinian activism group Block the Dock.
She also hates the police and advocates for a range of other causes, including support for sex workers and strengthening the rights of members of indigenous, LGBTQI and refugee communities.
The pro-Palestinian activist defended her actions when contacted by Daily Mail Australia – despite the stunt sparking intense reactions.
Pro-Palestinian protester @violentwaitress (pictured) crashed the Carols by Candlelight event in Melbourne on Sunday night
In the hours following the disruption, she shared a series of posts on her Instagram Story written by fellow members of her business expressing their support during the stunt.
One post, with footage of the protest, read: 'Christmas is canceled m*****f***rs', while another from activism group Whistleblowers, Activists & Communities Alliance (WACA) read: 'Imagine before you boo a woman who says children are dying in Gaza.”
A third post also sparked reactions online after outraged parents criticized protesters for scaring children sitting in the audience with their families.
There was also a group of children who were performing on stage when the devastation unfolded and had to be rushed to safety.
“I don't care about your Christmas carols,” the third message began, with an image of the grinch.
“And every kid in that audience will do that.” [sic] Grow up and be pro-Palestine or they will [sic] grow up and be a zionist and tbh [to be honest] We will arrange that when they are older, but at the moment they are doing well and no one is traumatized.'
To end the highlight reel, the woman shared a selfie and wrote: “Anyway I'm done goodnight xx.”
The woman managed to unfurl the Palestinian flag next to the orchestra pit
She then ran over to grab the microphone from Nine presenters David Campbell and Sarah Abo
The woman reshared a series of posts about her stunt to her Instagram Story before signing off for the night with the photo above
On social media, she regularly shares information advocating for marginalized groups and posts anti-police rhetoric.
This week she called on people to boycott the Midsumma Festival – an LGBTQIA+ cultural event – as Victorian police officers would be on hand to manage the crowds.
In the post, she claimed that police officers are not allowed to monitor the event because they are “collaborating with Zionists and Nazis,” “murdering refugees both in and out of detention,” and “murdering indigenous people in custody.”
Her main ventures, however, appear to revolve around pro-Palestinian rallies with WACA and Block the Dock – both of which have been behind a slew of high-profile demonstrations in Melbourne in recent months.
Photos posted online show the woman protesting at a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Israeli military weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems in Port Melbourne in October.
Last week, several Block the Dock protesters were arrested after blocking a road in Port Melbourne by gluing their hands to the road, setting up concrete barrels and locking themselves to cars, causing major traffic delays.
In another incident two days earlier, dozens of demonstrators staged a 'die-in' protest by lying on the ground outside the offices of The Age, AFR and Nine Melbourne in 'PRESS' vests and caps, to to unite against the deaths of 95 journalists in Gaza. .
The pro-Palestinian activist stood by her protest at the event in Melbourne this weekend.
“As the Christmas carols resound in the stadium, let us not forget that the sounds are overshadowed by the screams of innocent children in Palestine,” she said.
'It is an urgent call for justice and empathy, envisioning a world where children dream of joy instead of suffering the horrors of terror.
“Christmas is canceled in the land where Jesus was born – occupied, oppressed and ruined by the ongoing genocide.
“Palestinians search for the remains of their children amid the rubble left by Israeli forces, the same forces that overran their land and subjected them to torture, imprisonment and senseless killings.”
Carols by Candlelight was live on air on Sunday evening when the two women ran across the stage waving Palestinian flags.
As the couple struggled with security, a bewildered Campbell tried to diffuse the situation as young families looked on in horror.
“Just take it easy, it's okay,” Campbell said. “Everyone, relax and unwind.”
'Everyone can have their say, but we do have children here. We just want to make sure those kids are safe. They'll be right back here,” he added, referring to the performers on stage.
“It's a very difficult time in the world right now and there's a lot of pain out there.”
The woman has a collection of activism projects plastered on her social media page
A second protester jumping onto the stage was filmed earlier on Sunday at a pro-Palestine event (pictured)
Co-host Sarah Abo thanked the crew for their quick action in safely removing the protesters.
“It's the climate, we're in Melbourne,” she said.
'Here too, the team's work is incredible.'
The audience applauded as the children returned to the stage and the show continued.
Furious parents later flocked online to criticize protesters for interrupting the family-friendly Christmas event.
“So disrespectful at this time of year and disgusting to subject children to this commotion,” one woman said.
'They should all be arrested. Carols by Candlelight is not the right time or place.”
Others, however, praised the protesters' actions and supported the cause.
'When Palestine protests against Christmas carols by candlelight, you feel uncomfortable. good,” someone said.
The woman was dragged off stage by security after interrupting the Christmas tradition
Another added: “If you think the broadcast of Christmas carols interrupted by a protest is bad, imagine being bombed to death.”
Anti-Defamation Commission Chairman Dvir Abramovich was highly critical of the incident, describing it as “intimidation tactics.”
“Carols by Candlelight was once a safe place for families to celebrate the beauty of Christmas, but not anymore as this tornado of prejudice destroys our sense of security,” he said.
“I trust that law enforcement will identify those responsible for such despicable actions and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the protesters as “extremists”.
“You can always count on anti-Israel extremists to do everything they can and deter decent, ordinary people,” Mr. Ryvchin said.
“The chorus of boos tells them loud and clear that they are not wanted.”
The Christmas carols continued despite the protests and the rain (above)