Anti-war protesters clash with police outside Australian weapons convention

Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Anti-war protesters have clashed with police outside a military arms convention in the Australian city of Melbourne. Police say protesters hurled bottles, rocks and horse manure on Wednesday. Protesters had also sprayed officers with liquid irritants, some of which had been identified as acid. Police retaliated with pepper spray, flash distraction devices and foam baton rounds. These rounds are designed to inflict pain without penetrating skin. At least 24 officers required medical treatment. Police had arrested 33 protesters. Around 1,800 police officers have been deployed to the convention center where the Land Forces International Land Defense Exposition is taking place until Friday.