Suspected neo-Nazis crash peaceful Melbourne pro-refugee protest
A pro-refugee rally was disrupted by a group of balaclava-clad men, believed to be neo-Nazis, on Tuesday night, with police forced to deploy capsicum spray to defuse the situation.
Police & Courts
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Premier Jacinta Allan has hit out at a group of suspected Nazis who disrupted a pro-refugee rally, calling the masked men “disgraceful cowards”.
Ms Allan on Wednesday flagged the government is looking at how it can further strengthen its anti-vilification framework to crack down on Nazi behaviour.
The government is set to introduce new anti-vilification legislation into parliament later this year.
Ms Allan said the “cowardly” and “unacceptable” scenes had no place on Victorian streets.
“They hide behind masks and they absolutely do not represent any single part of this great state,” she said.
“Their behaviour is disgraceful, it’s unacceptable ... and I absolutely condemn it.”
Ms Allan said police were well equipped to deal with the ugly scenes.
“We have strengthened powers on these matters and we are looking at what more we can do to strengthen the anti-vilification framework,” she said.
The pro-refugee rally was disrupted by a group of balaclava-clad men on Tuesday night, with police forced to deploy capsicum spray to defuse the situation.
It’s understood about 300 pro-refugee protesters were peacefully gathered on Bourke St when about 20 people — dressed completely in black and with their faces covered — confronted them around 6pm.
In footage shared on TikTok by a refugee group, police can be seen facing those dressed in black, as chants of “refugees are welcome here, Nazis are not” rang out from the pro-refugee demonstrators.
Police are then seen marching towards the group in black, in an attempt to move them on, before hitting them with capsicum spray.
A police spokesperson said the incident would be looked into.
“Officers formed a line to separate the two groups before they were forced to deploy OC spray,” a police spokesperson said.
“The groups dispersed and there were no arrests or reports of injuries.
“Police will assess the circumstances surrounding the demonstration and review vision of the incident and people involved.”
The crowd could be heard cheering as the group of people clad in black fled after the capsicum spray was deployed.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has footage or information, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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