Five arrested after anti-racism, Farage supporter face-off in Collins St, Melbourne
FIVE people have been arrested after anti-racism protesters faced off with supporters of right-wing UK politician Nigel Farage in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Victoria Police has confirmed it will bill the event’s organiser.
VIC News
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THREE people have been arrested after anti-racism protesters faced off with supporters of Nigel Farage outside the right-wing UK politician’s speaking event in Collins St on Friday night.
Protesters rallied outside Collins Place in protest of Mr Farage, with Victoria Police using new powers to search pedestrians without a warrant.
Anti-racism protesters, the same group who gathered outside a speaking event for Canadian YouTuber Lauren Southern, chanted and yelled at police, also releasing balloons depicting Farage and Donald Trump.
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Supporters of the UKIP founder arrived at the scene wearing ‘Make Australia Great Again’ hats just after 7pm, with police quick to search them.
One man was led away in handcuffs after being patted down by officers, who guarded the entrance to Collins Place as they monitored clashes between opposing right and left wing groups.
A woman was thrown to the ground as police grappled with protesters who surrounded a man entering the building.
Far-right activist Neil Erikson later posted on social media: “Was just arrested at Farage event in Melbourne. Just got released from lock up.”
Most of the protesters had left by 8:30pm, when police chased and arrested a middle-aged woman as she walked down Collins St.
Protesters chanted “let her go” as she was dragged behind the police line and inside Collins Place.
As many as 100 police guarded the entrances on Collins St and Exhibition St as a handful of protesters remained outside the venue.
A police spokesperson said five people had been arrested — one person for assaulting police and face-covering, another for criminal damage and a third for riotous behaviour.
Two other people were arrested for previous matters unrelated to the rally, according to police.
Mr Farage, the former leader of the right-wing populist party UKIP, was one of the driving forces behind Brexit and is on the final leg of his Australia and New Zealand Speaking Tour.
Campaign against Racism spokesman Chris Di Pasquale earlier said the protest rally would give far-right speakers “the welcome they deserve”.
“People are more than welcome to buy a ticket to the event, but if they do they need to realise there will be people there putting forward an oppositional view,” Mr Di Pasquale said.
“We are protesting against Farage because he is an international representative of the far-right and we will go in with the intention of having a fairly nonviolent demonstration.”
Spokesman for Campaign Against Racism Chris Di Pasquale says the rally will give far-right speakers “the welcome they deserve†@theheraldsun #CBDrally pic.twitter.com/3vF9U0ipm9
— Selby Cameron Stewart (@Selby_Cameron) September 7, 2018
Event organiser Damien Costas was shouted down by protesters before moving behind police lines.
Mr Costas said: “(It would be) an international disgrace on Australia (if) police in Victoria would charge a member of the European parliament for protection”.
“Would we expect, if Scott Morrison went to the United Kingdom, that they would send him a bill.
“This man is a member of the European parliament … so no, I don’t expect a bill.”
But a Victoria Police spokesman on Friday night confirmed Mr Costas would be charged for security.
“As per the Victoria Police (fees and charges) Regulations 2014, Victoria Police has the right to charge any event organiser for the use of police resources,” he said.
“Victoria Police does not disclose the cost of engaging our services, or the private discussions held as part of the arrangements.”
JUST IN: The moment event organiser Damien Costas was shouted down by protesters. He soon moved back behind the police lines. #CBDrally @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/ig0REPIkRk
— Selby Cameron Stewart (@Selby_Cameron) September 7, 2018
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers would not tolerate violent behaviour.
“Public safety is our number one priority,” she said.
“Individuals have the right to lawfully attend events and protest, however we ask that people do so peacefully and respectfully without impact on the rest of the community.”
“Victoria Police will not tolerate those who break the law.”
Police on Friday began a new stop and search blitz around the CBD.
POLICE are searching protesters on Collins St ahead of a speaking event with British politician Nigel Farage. From 2pm today police are now able to search pedestrians in the area without a warrant. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/8WxLtSkL9S
— Selby Cameron Stewart (@Selby_Cameron) September 7, 2018
From 2pm on Friday until 1pm on Saturday, police will be able to stop and search pedestrians and drivers without a warrant, within the boundaries of Spring, Bourke, Flinders and Russell streets.
The stop and search powers have been approved for parts of the city and police will carry new hi-tech riot and crowd control equipment, Victoria Police commander Tim Hansen told 3AW earlier on Friday.
“We’ve got really strong tactics and if we need to those exercise those, and certainly if we come under attack we will lift our response,” Mr Hansen said of deploying the weapons.
“Every time we’ve executed it, we’ve found people in possession of weapons.
“In my experience we’re talking about knives, knuckle dusters, Tasers and on one occasion an imitation fire arm.”
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