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Melbourne's Lord Mayor Nick Reece has joined the growing backlash against a planned protest which prompted Myer to cancel its traditional Christmas window opening reveal in Melbourne on Sunday.

Pro-Palestinian and anti-war activists on social media urged people to join them at a protest to "interrupt" the display reveal.

"Myer would like us to 'share the joy' this Christmas, but there is no joy in genocide," the original post by the protest organisers read.

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"Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred."

In a statement, Myer confirmed the Sunday event had been cancelled.

"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," a spokesperson said.

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"Myer's Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors."

Speaking to 3AW, Reece said he thought the planned protest was an "outrage".

"It's stupid, and it won't help the cause that these protesters are trying to advance," he said.

"(The windows) been going for over 70 years. It's part of the magic of childhood in Melbourne, going along to see the windows."

https://omny.fm/shows/3aw-breakfast-with-ross-and-john/lord-mayor-left-outraged-after-much-loved-christma/embed

State Premier Jacinta Allan, on X, fired a broadside earlier at the protesters earlier this morning, saying "we are all a bit sick of this stuff".

"Blocking the Christmas windows won't change a thing in the Middle East, but it will let down a bunch of kids in Melbourne. Who does that help?" she wrote.

"People have a right to demonstrate, no one has a right to divide.

"We cannot let ugly protests ruin a beautiful Christmas tradition, and we cannot let violence, division and vilification ruin what makes Victoria great."

https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/1857161305993666914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Allan said the ongoing war in the Middle East had "tested" Victoria.

"We must come out of it united, not divided," she said.

She doubled down on her stance when speaking to the ABC, saying the protest was "not on".

"This is a really small group of people who are choosing to politicise Christmas, to politicise a beautiful event for our kids," she said.

The window display will still be open from Sunday until January 5 for people to enjoy if they choose to.

Victoria Police said they were aware of the planned protest.

"We have repeatedly requested they do not do this, however, the group is not co-operating with police," a spokesperson said.

"The Myer Christmas Windows are an important tradition in Melbourne's calendar, with families from across Victoria coming into the city to see them.

"While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community."

The spokesperson said police would have a "visible presence" at the site on Sunday, and would continue to try speak with the group planning the protest.

"It is important to make clear a separate rally planned for later in the day has changed its usual route due to the Myer Christmas Windows and will not walk through Bourke Street," the spokesperson said.

In a further comment, police confirmed they had not advised Myer to cancel the event, and that they continued to work with the shopping centre to support the staging of the "much loved tradition".

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