An elderly woman was shoved to the ground and doused with pepper spray by two policemen and the Melbourne anti-lockdown riot.
The woman was bowled over by the two cops before they fired pepper spray directly on to her face as she lay defenceless on the road grabbing her eyes.
Disturbing photos and video of the scene divided the public who were outraged at heavy-handed police tactics or felt her being there meant she deserved it.
Hundreds of anti-lockdown demonstrators took to the streets in Melbourne on Saturday, sparking violent confrontations with police that resulted in 235 arrests and 10 officers injured.
A woman, reported to be in her 70s was knocked to the ground during the violent clashes between protesters and police in Melbourne
Demonstrators angered most Victorians by breaking the city's sixth lockdown, and Victorian Police commander Mark Galliott said the protest was just 'angry, aggressive young males there to fight the police'.
But there was also anger towards police accused of using excessive force.
The footage shows the woman wearing a wig with an Australian flag draped around her knocked to the ground by officers.
The woman, reportedly in her 70s, lay injured on the ground and shielded her face while being doused with pepper spray by two officers standing over her.
She is seen wincing and writhing in pain as officers eventually help her to her feet.
While viewers agreed the actions of some protestors in Saturday weren't necessary, they believe police used excessive force.
'This country is turning to s**t very quickly…and it's not because of the virus,' host of The Primodcast posted.
'It's because of incompetent state governments and big pharmaceutical companies taking advantage of the situation to make a s*** tonne of money.'
The woman shields her face while being doused with pepper spray by police
The woman was bowled over by the two cops before they fired pepper spray directly on to her face as she lay defenceless on the road grabbing her eyes
Others called for the officers
