Three teenagers are among 38 people arrested over an animal rights protest that blocked a major Melbourne intersection causing chaos for commuters during the morning peak hour.
Three vans were used in the blockade as more than 100 activists chanted "what do we want? Animal liberation - now!" with some sitting on tram tracks near the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets today.
A number of people also chained themselves to the rented vehicles that were draped in black and emblazoned with the web address of a vegan documentary.
The vans have since been towed away.
Two 17-year-olds, a 15-year-old and 35 adults were arrested and could face charges relating to obstructing a roadway, and resisting police.
Protesters also gathered at abattoirs in Corio, Pakenham, Laverton North and Bacchus Marsh, as part of a national series of rallies.
Once the Melbourne intersection protest was disbanded, some activists moved to block the entrance to the Melbourne Aquarium.
Protest organiser and director of animal rights film documentary, Dominion, Chris Delforce, said the protest marked one year since his film's release.
"The industry is telling people these animals are being killed ethically, that they are being killed humanely - the reality is ... it's the furthest thing from humane," Mr Delforce told AAP.
He laughed off Prime Minister Scott Morrison's suggestion the protests occurring across the country were "un-Australian".
"Most Australians are opposed to animal cruelty," he said.
Victoria Police Superintendent David Clayton criticised the protesters for not consulting with police prior to the event.
"Police are able to facilitate planned protests when we are engaged," he said.
"This lack of engagement puts the entire community at risk with road closures and delays to transport services."
The demonstration caused some trams to alter their course.
Mr Morrison said the federal government would be open to supporting civil court action brought by pastoralists against the protesters.
"State and territory governments should ensure the full force of the law is brought against these green-collared criminals," the prime minister said.
Farmers were going through some of the toughest conditions in more than a century and should be supported, he added.
Today's protest comes after hundreds of animal rights activists rallied in Melbourne on Saturday as part of a global protest, calling for an end to slaughterhouses.
Protesters are demanding that state and federal agriculture ministers:
- Publicly acknowledge inherent cruelty in the process of killing animals for food, clothing and entertainment
- Insert a link to view documentary Dominion in a prominent position on their department's website
- Publicly commit to banning the use of intentionally deceptive marketing labels and imagery on animal products
- Commit to screening Dominion in school curriculum for students aged 15 and older
- Add warning labels onto animal products advising of ethical, health and environmental issues associated with them
- End government subsidies for industries that use, exploit and abuse animals
