Shocking footage has emerged of a dog being kicked during violent scenes in Melbourne as construction workers took to the streets to protest strict new Covid-19 restrictions.
Hundreds of workers in hi-vis vests walked off the job for the second time in three days on Monday to gather outside the CFMEU head office on Elizabeth St to protest against mandatory Covid-19 vaccine requirements which come into effect later this week.
Tensions quickly escalated as anti-vaccination demonstrators clashed with union officials and threw projectiles, including a bread crate.
Despite a participant describing the scenes on his live-stream video as a 'peaceful' protest, hostilities continued to boil over a few hours later when a dog was caught up in an altercation between several men.
A man was caught on camera kicking a dog during a protest outside CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne on Monday
The disturbing footage shared by Channel Seven reporter Paul Dowsley shows a man kicking a dog being walked on a leash, sparking online outrage.
'It (the altercation) broke up quickly as police stepped in,' the reporter tweeted.
The footage left online viewers angry and horrified.
'Kicking a dog is not an answer to a human dispute. Hope the perpetrator is identified,' one woman commented.
Another added: 'Anyone who attacks an animal for simply 'being there' deserves to have the same thing done to him. There's absolutely no excuse for doing that...NONE!
Earlier in the day, mobile phone footage showed protesters hurling projectiles at men guarding the door, labelling high-profile CFMEU boss John Setka as 'Dan Andrews' b****' and yelling 'f*** the jab'.
Bottles and a bread crate were among the projectiles thrown, while a glass window was also smashed during the ugly and chaotic scenes.
Construction workers clashed with union officials in ugly scenes earlier on Monday
A protest against construction restrictions in Melbourne has turned violent with demonstrators clashing with union officials and hurling a bread crate
Hundreds of workers in h-vis vests gathered outside the CFMEU head office on Elizabeth St on Monday morning
Construction workers clash with union representatives outside the CFMEU office in Melbourne on Monday
Flanked by union officials, Mr Setka, the longtime CFMEU state secretary, tried to appease the crowd and address the protestors over loud speaker.
'Please calm down, can you at least give me the respect to talk,' he told protestors.
'We're not the enemy, I don't know what you have heard.
'I have never ever said I support mandatory vaccination.'
But his pleas fell on deaf ears and was drowned out by protestors booing and shouting expletive-filled insults.
'Dan Andrew's b****,' several could be heard chanting.
Others screamed: 'Stand up, or stand down.'
Dramatic mobile phone footage showed protesters hurling projectiles at men guarding the door and heckling a union rep as 'Dan Andrews' b****'
Mr Setka tried to tell the crowd he'd never even met the Victorian Premier but was eventually forced to retreat back inside the building before protestors smashed the glass door, chanting 'my body, my choice'.
Union reps were forced to formed a human wall outside of the entrance to stop demonstrators from entering the building.
The chaotic scene were sparked by a message sent to the 'Vic Freedom Movement Event' group on a social messaging app urging workers to attend CFMEU headquarters to 'support freedom of choice'.
'Send a message that your unions will lose your support if they comply with these measures that defy personal choices for medical decisions,' the message reads.
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