Two people have been arrested after hundreds of trans-rights activists turned out to protest speaking on the steps of parliament house. A large number of police were on scene to separate opposing crowds with clashes eventually erupting between protesters and officers.
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00:00What began as two opposing rallies on gender rights spilled into ugly scenes in Melbourne's CBD with police arresting two people, even using pepper spray, a former MP alleging he was assaulted as protesters dispersed.
00:17I want that man arrested for assault.
00:19The chaotic scenes came hours after this Women Will Speak event. Despite attracting a fairly modest crowd, the anti-trans rights rally triggered a far larger counter-protest by pro-trans rights activists and an outsized police presence on the steps of Parliament House.
00:37Not only were there riot police, authorities invoked special arrest powers in the area, searching 38 people.
00:44Just so we can do a talk. It's nuts.
00:49The initial event was organized by Women's Voices Australia, which opposes the expansion of rights for transgender people.
00:56Gender ideology is more harmful to women and children than the loss of abortion rights.
01:05Last week, the UK Supreme Court ruled a woman is someone born biologically female, potentially excluding trans women from some women-only spaces.
01:16What happened in the Supreme Court in the UK was tremendous.
01:20But hundreds of pro-trans activists tried to drown out their arguments.
01:25It's complete garbage. They are absolutely anti-trans. They make my daughter feel unsafe every day.
01:33We are here to show that we're not going away. And it's important to give ourselves a voice.
01:39After the rallies wrapped up, the real chaos began as protesters dispersed into the CBD.
01:46Police said around 40 people continued to march through the city. Four officers were treated for injuries.
01:52Police said around 40 people under theic