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Terrifying scenes as anti-Australia Day protesters turn violent, throwing bricks, bottles and stones at police, leaving two policemen in hospital.
- Rioters have pelted police with bricks, bottles and rocks in Perth
- Several arrests were made while two officers were injured in the fight.
- One incident was at the same location as the ‘Invasion Day’ protest hours earlier.
Crowds hurled bottles, bricks and rocks at police in two nasty clashes that resulted in several arrests to end Australia Day celebrations.
Rioters attacked authorities at Perth’s main train station around 10pm Thursday night and again on Moore Street in the east of the city after 1am Friday morning.
The riots followed an anti-Australia Day rally attended by more than 1,000 protesters near the CBD station.
One of the rioters brandished a tomahawk during the intense confrontation, police said.
The vision showed officers standing in the street as rioters abused police (pictured)
Footage of the first riot was posted on social media showing police in protective gear running towards protesters before retreating (pictured)
In the first disturbance, the authorities were confronted by a crowd of 150 people who hit the officers with rocks and bottles.
Police were reportedly trying to disperse two large groups that had been fighting.
Images were posted on social media showing officers in protective gear running towards protesters before retreating.
The vision also showed police standing in the street as rioters shouted insults.
video taken by 7News Crews showed police wearing helmets and riot gear as the officers tried to control the crowd.
No injuries were reported, but several arrests were made.
Protesters later hurled broken bricks and cobblestones at police on Moore Street in eastern Perth, near McIver railway station, at 1:20 a.m. the following day.
The authorities were trying to disperse the crowd when the rioters threw the projectiles at the police.
Two officers were sent to the hospital after being injured in the second fight, one with a shoulder wound and the other with a head wound (in the photo, the officers try to disperse the crowd during the riot)
Two officers were sent to the hospital after being injured in the fight, one with a shoulder wound and the other with a head wound.
WA Police Sergeant Major Adrian Fuller said abc the safety of the public and the police was endangered.
“Police got additional resources and tactically formed some lines to separate people and make some arrests,” said Sgt. Maj. Fuller.
Those people were taken to the Perth watch house to be charged.
The riots followed a protest opposing Australia Day celebrations at Forrest Place, the same location where the riots first broke out.
Authorities were trying to disperse the crowd when rioters threw the projectiles at the officers, police said (rioters at the scene pictured)
Speakers called out authorities on social justice issues and discussed deaths in custody at the event.
The protest included traditional dance, a smoking ceremony and live music.
The Regional Operations Group (ROG), which assists police in public order incidents, reinforced police at both locations.
An ‘out of control assembly’ was declared in the areas of the two incidents.
Investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, 100,000 people gathered to celebrate Australia Day on Perth’s Swan River in the CBD at 8:30pm. perth now informed.
Crowds enjoyed fireworks, drones, and music into the night.