Annual Christmas carols have been briefly interrupted after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the stage during the live broadcast.
The annual Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne has been briefly interrupted after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the stage during the live broadcast.
Children performing were rushed from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl stage to safety after several protesters carrying Palestine flags descended out of nowhere to interrupt the show.
The Channel 9 cameras during the live broadcast were filming hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abdo when the incident unfolded on Sunday.
One protester even tried to grab the microphone from Mr Campbell, managing to say “while you’re carolling, kids are dying in Gaza” before the audio was cut.
Mr Campbell interrupted his scripted dialogue when he realised the commotion on stage wasn’t part of the show.
“Hang on one second,” he said.
“Nice and easy.”
The singer tried to keep the crowd calm and informed as security guards removed the protesters from the stage.
“It’s all good, thank you everybody, everyone’s allowed to have their moment,” Mr Campbell said.
“The kids are safe, and they’re going to come back out.
“It’s important to come together on a night like this too when there’s a lot of pain out there and a lot of people are experiencing it.”
His co-host thanked the crew for their quick action in removing the protesters safely.
“It is the climate, we are in Melbourne,” Ms Abdo said.
“Incredible work here by the team as well.”
The crowd was heard applauding as the kids returned to the stage and the show continued.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin condemned the disruption on Sunday.
“You can always count on anti-Israel extremists to make everything about them and to appall decent, ordinary people,” Mr Ryvchin said.
“The chorus of boos tells them loud and clear they’re not wanted.”
( News.com.au )
