Retail giant Myer has cancelled a special event to mark the opening of its Christmas Windows over concerns for customer and worker safety due to a threatened pro-Palestine protest.
The festive display in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall is a major tourism drawcard for the CBD and will still be open to the public, but the windows will not be celebrated with the traditional unveiling event.
It comes after activist Group Disrupt Wars promoted a ‘Crash the Christmas Windows’ demonstration on Sunday, encouraging supporters to bring banners, flags, placards, noise makers and props.
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“Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred,” a post online read.
It said the protest was designed to “inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide”.
Victoria Police is aware of the protest and has vowed to have a visible presence in the city on Sunday.
“We have repeatedly requested they do not do this however the group is not co-operating with police,” the force said.
“The Myer Christmas Windows are an important tradition in Melbourne’s calendar, with families from across Victoria coming into the city to see them.
“While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community,” police said.
Pro-Palestine protesters hold demonstrations in central Melbourne each Sunday and Victoria Police said it was important to note a separate rally planned for later in the day has changed its usual route due to the Myer Christmas Windows and will not walk through Bourke Street.
‘Joy and community’
Myer said the display will still be visible as planned from Sunday, November 17, until early January.
“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,” the retailer said late on Thursday.
“Myer’s Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.”
Myer was established by Russian Jewish immigrant Sidney Myer in the early twentieth century and there are currently 56 shops around Australia.
Viewing the Bourke Street store’s Christmas windows has been a tradition for many families since the display was first put on in 1956.