Premier warns October 7 vigil organisers

Premier Ben Carroll has warned that police will act to protect the public if an antizionist vigil honouring Palestinian “martyrs” goes ahead at the State Library of Victoria on October 7.

“October 7 was the biggest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. That date belongs to the victims,” Carroll said.

“If this event proceeds, police will take the steps necessary to protect the public.

“Our anti-vilification laws are clear: break them and you will be dealt with under the law.”

The Free Palestine Coalition Naarm has invited the public to a “vigil sit-in service” at the library from 10am to 5pm, followed by an hour-long commemoration program. In a social media post, the group said the event would honour “Palestinian martyrs of the Zionist genocide” and urged attendees to light a candle, lay a poppy and pray “for an end to the genocide and all colonial and imperialist wars”.