Seven arrested after statue of Jewish feminist defaced in Melbourne
Women allegedly used umbrellas to shield vandalism of Zelda D’Aprano monument as concerns grow over antisemitic incidents
Seven women have been arrested in Australia after a statue of prominent Jewish feminist Zelda D’Aprano was allegedly defaced in Melbourne, an incident that comes amid wider concerns about the safety of the country’s Jewish community.
Police in the state of Victoria said the group, aged between 34 and 71, are suspected of targeting the monument outside the Victorian Trades Hall earlier this month.
According to officers, the women arrived at the site carrying umbrellas and red spray paint, which they allegedly used to damage the statue while attempting to shield their actions from nearby surveillance cameras.
The statue commemorates D’Aprano, a leading figure in Australia’s women’s liberation movement whose activism from the 1950s through to the 1980s helped drive campaigns for equal pay and workplace rights. The monument was unveiled in 2023 in recognition of her legacy.
Authorities said the suspects face a range of charges, including criminal damage, public disorder offences and unauthorised graffiti. Six have been released on bail and are due to appear before a Melbourne court in October. Police are continuing efforts to identify an eighth individual believed to have been involved.
The incident comes against a backdrop of growing unease among Jewish organisations in Australia following a separate alleged attack in Melbourne. Community representatives said a vehicle was driven in a threatening manner towards a group of Jewish pedestrians earlier this month, with police investigating the involvement of multiple suspects.
Robert Gregory, chief executive of the Australian Jewish Association, warned that such incidents are contributing to a climate of fear.
“Australian Jews should be able to walk down the street without being abused, yet for many, that’s no longer the reality,” he said.
The developments have intensified calls from community leaders for stronger protections and action to address rising hostility, particularly in major cities such as Melbourne.
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