Police separate opposing demonstrators as protests kick off across Aussie cities
Officers have been forced to separate opposing demonstrators as major protests kick off across Australia’s capitals, including four separate rallies in Melbourne.
Police have been forced to separate two opposing groups in the Melbourne CBD as a string of protests across Australia’s capitals and major cities have kicked off, with thousands turning out for four separate protests in Melbourne alone.
The protests come weeks after crowds flooded the streets as part of the anti-immigration March for Australia rallies across the country, some of which were attended by prominent neo-Nazis.
March for Australia organisers have denied links to white supremacists and the National Socialist Network (NSN).
Police arrest one man, separate opposing demonstrators in Melbourne CBD
The rallies across Melbourne have dissipated, with police arresting one man for “criminal damage after an alleged graffiti incident”.
Police said the 29-year-old man was interviewed for an “active whereabouts for graffiti” and released at the scene pending summons.
About 2500 people, from multiple different groups, attended the rallies.
“Police had a highly visible presence at a protest in the Melbourne CBD today,” a statement from police read.
“Our top priority was keeping the peace and ensuring the safety of those attending and the broader community.”
A scuffle broke out between officers and Indigenous Sovereignty demonstrators on St Kilda Rd near the Arts Centre, where one man was allegedly sprayed with capsicum foam.
“Police were required to intervene several times to separate protesters from opposing groups, and OC spray was deployed,” police said.
Police cordoned off areas of the city to prevent demonstrators from clashing near Parliament House this afternoon.
Officers were seen lined up and linking arms to isolate and prevent clashes between the opposing groups, who were close to converging in the Melbourne CBD.
The move comes after violent clashes seen on August 31, with Victoria Police warning demonstrators to avoid any violent or anti-social behaviour.
“Both groups dissipated peacefully at the conclusion of the protests,” police said.
One man arrested in Sydney
NSW Police have arrested one man and another has received a warning during the protests in Sydney’s CBD today.
A man in his 50s was arrested for “breach of the peace”, and was escorted from the marches, police said.
Another person was issued a warning after operating a drone in a restricted area.
Paramedics treated two people, but no other injuries were reported.
Police confirmed all temporary road closures have been reopened.
The multiple protests against corruption, racism and mass migration began on Saturday afternoon, with photos capturing a protester donning a “Make Australia Great Again” cap.
A giant, inflatable penis was also spotted among the Victorian crowd, pictures of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plastered on it.
Another sign spotted in Melbourne claimed “Australia’s sovereighty (sic) … has been eroded”, while others from a different crowd included “No! To white supremacy” and “Peace for Gaza”.
Rally Against Racism speakers told the estimated 5000 strong crowd outside Flinders St Station “we welcome everybody”, The Age reported.
Other speakers slammed last month’s March for Australia rallies, the masthead reported.
Most protesters during the March for Australia rally were peaceful, and not neo-Nazi’s.
March for Australia has also denied links to white supremacists and neo-Nazis.
Conservative ex-MP’s vow
An estimated 1000 people gathered at Spring St, with conservative former Victorian MP Bernie Finn one of the speakers at the rally against government corruption.
Mr Finn told the crowd he was planning to run for Parliament again at Victoria’s next election, The Age reported.
The vow comes three years after Mr Finn was expelled from the Victorian Liberal Party following a series of social media posts, including one where he put his support behind banning abortions, even for rape survivors.
Mr Finn later took to social media to thank the organisers for the “invitation to address such a crowd”.
“A tremendous rally in Melbourne against government corruption today,” he wrote. “Thousands showed up to express their anger.”
‘Hateful rhetoric’: Canberra rallies kick off
About 200 people have met at Canberra’s Civic Square, with one speaker talking about the attack on sacred Indigenous site Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne’s King’s Domain following the March for Australia rallies, the ABC reported.
Camp Sovereignty members were allegedly attacked by a group of about 30 men, which was allegedly led by neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell.
Sewell is among some slapped with charges over the incident by police; he has not yet entered a plea, and was last week remanded in custody after his bail was refused.
Leah House told the Canberra crowd many were not surprised by the alleged behaviour, the national broadcaster reported.
“That hateful rhetoric is really at the core of the Australian identity,” Ms House said.
‘Stolen land’: Sydney rallies begin
The National Day of Action “Sovreignty never ceded” rally against racism and fascism drew a big crowd of people holding up Indigenous flags in Sydney’s Belmore Park.
Organised by First Nations action group Blak Caucus, the rally was planned to stand against racist rhetoric and “in solidarity with Camp Sovreignty” following the alleged attack on August 31 after the March for Australia rally in Victoria.
What rallies are taking place?
Multiple anti-corruption rallies organised by the group Australia Unites were slated to take place on Saturday afternoon.
In Sydney, initial plans for the group’s Sydney march to be held over the Sydney Harbour Bridge were scrapped and traded for an alternative route following negotiations with police.
“Rally against Racism” protests have also been slated across Australia in response to the recent attack by neo-Nazi’s on the sacred Indigenous site King’s Domain in Melbourne.
A national day of action protest against the attack, called “Sovereignty never ceded”, will also kick off across all major cities and some regional areas including Port Macquarie in NSW.
“Save Australia” rallies against immigration are also planned for most Aussie capitals on Saturday. In Melbourne, it will start at 12pm from Parliament House.
Cops worried about ‘conflict’
Victoria Police earlier expressed concern some groups may “seek conflict and confrontation”, with a large police presence expected in Melbourne CBD.
It follows members of the NSN – including its leader Thomas Sewell – attending the March for Australia rally on August 31, before the group splintered off.
Victoria Police Superintendent Troy Papworth warned protesters ahead of Saturday, saying police were “completely sick of people using protesting as a veiled excuse to punch on”.
“Melbourne’s CBD should be a vibrant and welcoming place to visit — not a place where people come to spout hate and violence,” Mr Papworth said.
“Throwing rotten fruit, taunting police, and violently attacking people based on their race is not protesting – it’s gutless.
“If you are coming into the CBD on Saturday with the intention of fighting, throwing objects or abusing others, you can expect to spend some time in a police cell.”
Originally published as Police separate opposing demonstrators as protests kick off across Aussie cities
