Counter-protesters disrupt Melbourne abortion rally

Police have been forced to move on a group of antagonists who gatecrashed a march in support of abortion rights in the CBD.

Public order police were forced to disperse a small group of gatecrashers who marred Melbourne’s abortion rally on Saturday.

A handful of antagonists, who carried Australian and Eureka flags, turned up to the rally about 2pm.

There was a brief standoff on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets before police managed to disperse the crowd.

Counter-protesters who attended the rally were blocked off by the mounted brigade, unable to infiltrate the main march.

Thousands of Victorians gathered outside the state library in the CBD to march in support of abortion rights after the United States Supreme Court this week overturned Roe v Wade.

Frustrated pro-choice supporters flocked to Melbourne’s CBD in solidarity with the US as there is now limited access to safe abortions since the landmark 1973 decision was overturned.

Individual US states are now allowed to ban abortion bringing grave fears about women’s bodily autonomy.

Protesters demanded free, safe and legal abortion access and protection, with large crowds gathering in Melbourne’s CBD from 12pm.

People marching through the streets of Melbourne. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascu

the rally is being held in Melbourne in solidarity with abortion rights protesters fighting to reinstate Roe v Wade. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascu

The rally was largely peaceful.

In one instance a man who claimed to be a Christian told the crowd he considered abortion to be murder.

Police escorted the man away and asked him to leave.

It comes after hundreds of pro-choice activists marched down the streets of Brisbane and Adelaide on Friday.

A crowd of nearly 1000 people braced the rain in Brisbane at the King George Square about 5.30pm Friday.

“They say no choice we say pro-choice,” the crowd chanted.

Many held signs with drawings of coat hangers, while some said “never again”.

Another sign read: “Hands off my uterus!”

Thousands of people across Australia are defending abortion rights. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Meanwhile, Adelaide saw a massive crowd of more than 5000 people on Friday evening for the Solidarity Abortion Rights Rally.

“Abortion is a human right, we are all here to fight,” protesters chanted as they walked down King William Road.

“Respect my existence or expect my resistance,” a placard said.

“Women’s rights in the US are under attack. With the Supreme Court overturning Roe, an estimated 25 US states are expected to pass laws that restrict abortion,” the group wrote on Facebook.

Originally published as Counter-protesters disrupt Melbourne abortion rally