Myer has cancelled its much-loved and anticipated annual Christmas Windows unveiling after a planned pro-Palestine protest threatened to disrupt the event.
Originally scheduled for Sunday on Bourke Street in Melbourne’s CBD, the unveiling is a cherished tradition drawing crowds of children and families from across Victoria.
The decision was confirmed by Myer to The Age on Thursday, with a spokesperson stating:
“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.”
While the unveiling event has been scrapped, Myer’s Christmas windows will still be available for viewing from Sunday until January 5.
The retailer’s decision came in response to a planned protest by a group called Disrupt Wars, advocating for a free Palestine.
The group announced its intentions on social media, arguing that Myer’s Christmas message of “sharing joy” contradicts ongoing violence in Gaza. “There is no joy in genocide,” organisers wrote.
Protesters aimed to assemble at Melbourne’s State Library with banners and noisemakers, proceeding to interrupt the window display to “inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide.”
Responding to the planned disruption of this historical event, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan voiced her frustration on social media platform X, condemning the politicisation of a beloved children’s event.
“Blocking the Christmas windows won’t change a thing in the Middle East, but it will let down a bunch of kids in Melbourne. “We are all a bit sick of this stuff.”
Alland urged for unity and announced forthcoming social cohesion laws aimed at reducing division and vilification in Victoria. “I’ll fight for our friendly state, free of hate,” Allan added. She criticised both the protesters and those she described as “quietly stoking division” for escalating tensions.
Victoria Police confirmed they had requested the group to avoid disrupting the family-friendly event but stated that protesters remained uncooperative.
“The Myer Christmas windows are an important tradition in Melbourne’s calendar,” a spokesperson said, adding that police would attend and continue to monitor the protest.
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