'Toxic': activists vandalise Aust-US memorial symbol
Demonstrators descended on the Australian-American Memorial, also known as The Eagle, in Canberra just before noon on Saturday, spraying red paint at the base of the 79-metre column.
Footage from the incident showed two people in plastic garb, with one wearing a face covering, spraying red paint from a fire hydrant on the monument.
Placards stuck to their backs read, "Stop US weapons for genocide".
The red paint symbolises the bloodshed in Palestine and the role Australian and US governments continue to play in the Israel-Gaza conflict, which intensified following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on an Israeli music festival, the protesters said.
They are demanding the Australian government distance itself from the US and stop collaborating with US weapons manufacturers, claiming they send weaponry to Israel to use in the conflict.
The tower, which features a stylised American eagle at the top, was constructed as a memorial to the sacrifices made by Australian and American soldiers defending Australia during World War II.
But protester Miriam Torzillo said that was no longer the case.
"Now, rather than symbolising friendship between the United States and Australia, it is symbolising this partnership, which is contributing to genocide in Gaza," she told AAP.
"If you look deeply into the nature of this alliance, it's nothing more than a toxic alliance right now in which America, metaphorically and literally, calls the shots."
The activists say reports that Australia had supplied parts for fighter jets that are used by Israel are concerning, and they want to continue amplifying the message even if political leaders don't take note.
ACT Police say they are aware of planned protest activity that may occur until Tuesday, maintaining they support the right to peaceful protest, but will not tolerate the disruption of businesses or other criminal activity.
Meanwhile, the Greens have demanded the federal government co-ordinate a food aid drop following reports that an unprecedented number of starving Palestinians are at risk of death.
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government was looking at ways to further deal with imports from third countries. "Regrettably, the mechanisms we would need to track and monitor all energy products via third countries are not in place in those countries," she said. "You're asking me to make an assurance about Indian refinery revenue. We are not the government that has responsibility for what occurs in the refineries." The foreign minister said Australians expect businesses to try to avoid their supply chains inadvertently funding Russia's invasion, signalling further pressure on Russian oil revenues. Ukrainian Association of WA activist Roma Popadynec, whose relatives have been caught up in the conflict, said Australia needs to close these loopholes, fearing they funded Kremlin's war efforts. 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