'While you're shopping, bombs are dropping': Protesters heckle shoppers outside Myer's Christmas windows but main rally stays away
Protesters have chanted and waved flags outside Myer's Christmas windows in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall despite cancelling a planned pro-Palestine rally.
Extra police were out in full force today in Melbourne's CBD ahead of the quiet unveiling of the annual display, which saw fewer than 10 protesters gather outside Myer.
The Australian retail giant scrapped plans to launch its annual festive exhibit with the usual fanfare after protesters planned to flood the event.
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A pro-Palestine protester seen outside Myer in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall. 9News
Though organisers revealed they had axed plans to protest the Christmas unveiling, several protesters were outside Myer chanting as shoppers walked past to catch a glimpse of the display.
The protesters chanted "while you're shopping, bombs are dropping" before police arrived on the scene to scatter the group.
They returned to the window and were heard chanting "shame on you, shame on you" to passers-by.
"This is for the kids, don't ruin it for them," one aggrieved shopper told 9News.
"Have your protest, do what you want but leave children alone."
Official organisers of the weekly march for Palestine kept their word and stayed clear of Bourke Street Mall today.
Myer's cancellation sparked huge backlash towards the protesters from shoppers, the local council and multiple levels of government, including Premier Jacinta Allan.
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Extra police officers are on hand outside the window to ensure it is safe. 9News
Today reporter Kiara Parker was outside the Myer windows today and said the unveiling was set to be "much more subdued" this year following the controversy.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators had said they would avoid Bourke Street and rally elsewhere in the CBD after the criticism.
Families and avid Christmas fans are still expected to line up around the block to witness Myer's famous Christmas window dressing and see this year's theme.
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Crowds are still expected to flood the area to see the display today. Paul Jeffers
Last year, the Myer Christmas windows theme was the ABC children's show Bluey.
The 2024 display will be the 69th year of Myer's beloved Christmas window decorations and it will be up until January.
The cancelled protest outside Myer intended to crash the official event and shut it down following accusations the decorations were a consumerist display.
"The intention was to interrupt the media spectacle and economic gain sought by Myer," organiser Amy Settal said.
"The children coming to see the Myer Christmas windows were never a target because children are not a target.
"In light of Myer's decision to cancel their window reveal event, planned disruptions will not go ahead."
Myer decided to scrap plans to have the official unveiling this year due to safety concerns. Photograph by Chris Hopkins
Myer said the event had been cancelled as a direct result of the protest plans.
"In light of recent developments and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street Mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows," a spokesperson said.
"Myer's Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors."
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