The call for help below comes from the Melbourne Street Medic Collective in the aftermath of the police pepper-spray attack on an anti-racist protest on July 18. The group has launched a crowd-funding appeal for badly needed first aid supplies. Visit their crowd-funding page for more information and to donate.
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On Saturday 18th July, the Melbourne Street Medics were in attendance when an anti-racist demonstration, made up of students, trade unionists, pensioners, members of various community and ethnic groups and everyone in between, came together to oppose two small but hateful rallies of nationalist bigots and outright fascists.
The air of relative calm despite an extraordinary police presence became undone when police chose to deploy a very strong pepper spray indiscriminately through the crowd multiple times.
The Melbourne Street Medics, who self-fund all their own medical first aid supplies, were soon very low indeed. Extra supplies needed to be bought immediately.
All in all roughly 100 people were treated that day, and we are asking you to donate! This would help us not only resupply kits and offset costs for equipping new medics, but also assist us to afford training spaces to up-skill new and current medics.
About the Melbourne Street Medic Collective
The Melbourne Street Medic Collective are a group of qualified first aiders and medical professionals, who are also proud to be activists involved in progressive campaigns for refugee rights, the environment, and against racism and fascism. We exist to provide physical and mental health support to other activists in these social movements, especially during protests and other actions, and often find ourselves bandaging a sprained ankle or helping someone get through a burst of panic when they’re in a crowd.