A Show Of Strength As Melbourne Erupts In Violence

An anti-war protest at a weapons convention turned violent as protesters and police clashed near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Land Forces -- a three-day convention for government and military officials to meet with weapons manufacturers and see their wares -- has become a symbol for pro-Palestine groups of Australia's support of Israel.

Under the banner of Land Forces Action, the protest quickly turned to retaliatory actions between police and protesters as heavy security secured the area around the centre and cleared a blocked intersection on Footscray Road and Lorimer Street.

The following dramatic image, depicting the overwhelming forcdeful presence of police, was captured by The Burne's Matthew Parkhill.