Pro-Palestinian protesters in Australia disrupted Sunday's live broadcast of “Candlelight Carols'' to collect proceeds for blind and low vision families and children, according to Sky News.
Video footage from the event showed two activists rushing onto the Sidney Myer Music Bowl stage around 8:20 p.m. as children were quickly escorted out. sky news. The demonstrators appeared to be waving Palestinian flags and shouting at the crowd, with one of them allegedly trying to grab the host's microphone while shouting, “Children are dying in Gaza.” Ru. (Related: Pro-Palestinian vandals desecrate Boston's cherished Nativity scene)
Palestinian freedom activists #CarolsbyCandlelight in melbourne pic.twitter.com/8gCyKgW2Xz
— Jessica Westcot (@JessicaWestcot8) December 24, 2023
Following the incident, show host David Campbell reportedly addressed the audience and reassured people that the children were safe. according to To age. (Related: Video shows pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Democratic holiday party)
“They're allowed to have their time and spend their time in the sun, but we had kids here and we wanted to make sure they were safe. They'll be back soon,''' Mr Campbell was quoted as saying by The Age.
“It's such a tough time in this world. It's a tough time for us all to come together on a night like this when there's so much pain. We're going to let things calm down for a little while and everyone will be okay.”
Once the stage was secured and the protesters had left, the children resumed their performance, the newspaper reported.
X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with online reactions, with some users accusing the protesters of ruining the event. Television executive Rob McKnight condemned the protests, saying, “Yeah, let's scare the kids performing on stage.” What a bunch of idiots. ”
Yeah, let's scare the kids playing on stage. What a bunch of idiots. https://t.co/jHqn3yOntE
— Robert McKnight (@rob_mcknight) December 24, 2023
The annual Christmas extravaganza is run by the Vision Australia charity and organizers describe it as a way to “brighten the lives” of residents and spread some Christmas cheer, according to Sky News.
