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Why protests are getting more dangerous

Oct 14, 2025 •

Melbourne photojournalist Alex Zucco was cleaning her camera lens when a police officer hit her directly in the face with a stream of capsicum spray at a protest outside the Melbourne Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition last year.

In July this year, a police officer allegedly punched former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas in the face at a pro-Palestine rally, seriously injuring her eye.

Lawyers and activists say these incidents fit a pattern of increased police force against protesters – including so-called ‘less-lethal’ tools such as baton rounds, flash-bang devices and capsicum spray.

Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on how decades of restricting the right to protest have created a permissive environment for the use of force by police.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Why protests are getting more dangerous

1691 • Oct 14, 2025

Why protests are getting more dangerous

Melbourne photojournalist Alex Zucco was cleaning her camera lens when a police officer hit her directly in the face with a stream of capsicum spray at a protest outside the Melbourne Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition last year.

In July this year, a police officer allegedly punched former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas in the face at a pro-Palestine rally, seriously injuring her eye.

Lawyers and activists say these incidents fit a pattern of increased police force against protesters – including so-called ‘less-lethal’ tools such as baton rounds, flash-bang devices and capsicum spray.

Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on how decades of restricting the right to protest have created a permissive environment for the use of force by police.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

Guest: Journalist and author, Ariel Bogle

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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.

It’s made by Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Ruby Jones, Sarah McVeigh, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.

Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.





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1691: Why protests are getting more dangerous