Tensions flare in Melbourne’s CBD amid second ‘March for Australia’ protest
Riot police have rushed into the CBD, where officers were forced to deploy pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets at anti-immigration protesters and counter-anti-racism demonstrators. But in nearby Footscray, a government minister described the CBD as “thriving” and “vibrant”.
Violence has erupted between police and protesters as an anti-racism group tried to confront an anti-immigration rally in Melbourne’s CBD.
Police were forced to deploy pepper spray at an increasingly aggressive crowd of counter protesters on Sunday afternoon as they sought to face off with the March for Australia group.
Anti-racism protesters clash with police, who blocked them from marching to Parliament House - where far-right March for Australia demonstrators were protesting nearby @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/yDr3X7HMtM
— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) October 19, 2025
It’s the second time ultraconservative group March for Australia has held a rally in the CBD to call for an end to what they claimed was “mass immigration” into Australia.
Tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets were also deployed at a small group of anti-immigration protesters who clashed with officers near Spring St, where demonstrators could be heard chanting: “Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi.”
That group proceeded down Russell St waving Australian flags and donning confederate flags on t-shirts and jumpers.
An earlier demonstration by the same groups led to ugly brawls in August.
It comes as the State government on Sunday doubled down on labelling the CBD as “safe” despite the protest violence and the emergence of footage of the stabbing of Wan Lai, 36, on Little Bourke St.
Housing minister Harriet Shing labelled the city as “thriving, it’s vibrant, it’s busy” during a press conference to announce a new social housing development in Footscray.
“I’ve been in the city this weekend and it has been just full of throngs of people enjoying all sorts of activities.
“Again, there is always a space for protest activity but it needs to be done safely.”
But when asked whether she’d ever been to one of the weekly CBD protests, Ms Shing said: “No”.
On Sunday, March for Australia protesters converged on the steps of Parliament House about midday before marching through city streets.
Their plans prompted an earlier counter protest at the State Library at 11am, organised by activist group Campaign Against Racism and Fascism’s Melbourne branch.
Similar marches by both groups were due to unfold in most capital cities on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, right-ring, anti-immigration demonstrators march down Russell St @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/SgToxwFFYu
— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) October 19, 2025
Hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators gathered at the library just after 11am.
Attendees could be seen holding signs that read: “no neo-Nazis” and “stop fascism” while others waved Palestinian and Aboriginal flags.
Police on motorbikes and members on foot patrolled the perimeter of the group.
Some officers could be seen instructing attendees to remove their face coverings, which would be banned under new laws proposed by the Allan government.
One speaker was met with cheers when she said: “Them Nazi motherf*ckers, they can’t understand our magic,” she told the crowd.
Anti-racism protesters marching to Parliament House to face off with far right, anti-immigration March for Australia demonstrators @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/uCtVyzasXY
— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) October 19, 2025
“I’ve got a message for these Nazis: come and sit with us, because we walk in their world every day.
“We stand in solidarity with all of the oppressed people around the world.
“With respect and love, we are demanding our place of belonging.”
The group began marching down Swanston St about 11:45am, briefly stopping at the Collins St intersection before turning left onto Collins.
The mounted branch and a wall of officers blocked demonstrators from proceeding further up Collins St just before midday.
Protesters attempted to detour to parliament via Flinders Lane, where another wall of officers met them to block the procession.
The group were then met with a wall of officers, who stood side-by-side blocking access to Flinders St at the corner of Exhibition St.
The group repeatedly chanted: “Nazi scum off our streets”.
Violence erupted just after midday, with demonstrators clashing with police, who sprayed pepper spray toward the increasingly aggressive crowd.
The group heckled two men waving Australian flags as they walked past the protest on Flinders St.
“Shame,” they yelled repeatedly.
The crowd stopped outside Flinders St station about 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, a much smaller group of anti-immigration demonstrators also clashed with officers, who were forced to deploy tear gas and rubber bullets near Spring St.
March For Australia demonstrators sparked ugly clashes in the CBD when they last protested in August.
Marchers were seen engaging in violent brawls with pro-migration and pro-Palestine counter protesters, despite efforts by police to keep the two groups apart, with at least one person arrested.
Sunday’s planned demonstrations has brought little reprieve from protest action in the CBD after organisers of the weekly pro-Palestine protests announced their plans to cease the weekly action following the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators had marched every Sunday since Hamas’ massacre in Israel on October 7 2023, calling for a permanent ceasefire and support for Gazan civilians.
But activists last week announced they would no longer hold the marches, which had become a regular sight in the CBD.
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