Protesters swarm Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for racial vilification case

MELBOURNE CBD has returned to normal after protesters swarmed the Magistrates’ Court for the hearing of the leader of a far-right group accused of offending Muslims.

MELBOURNE CBD has returned to normal following a large protest outside the Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Police blocked William St from Little Bourke to Little Lonsdale as anti-racism protestors converged on the court.

They were there to protest against United Patriot’s Front leader Blair Cottrell and mates Neil Erikson and Christopher Neil Shortis.

The men are each charged with defacing the footpath and wall of a garden bed outside Bendigo council offices and behaving in an offensive manner.

Dozens of police created a human wall blocking entry to the court as bemused lawyers were herded into queues, with others attending court, to gain access.

Inside, dozens of supporters of the men, and several representatives from major media organisations, were refused entry into the courtroom because it only had seating for 27.

Blair Cottrell arrives at court as protesters stop traffic outside. Picture: David Crosling

Anti-racism protesters clash with supporters of the far-right group outside court. Picture: David Crosling

Those that gained entry were subjected to identification checks and scanned for weapons.

One supporter, who was wearing a Go Pro camera strapped to a military-style vest, did not enter the courtroom.

Mr Cottrell and his co-accused are contesting all of the charges.

The men are accused of helping to make a video “with the intention of inciting serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of” Muslims on October 4, 2015.

The video allegedly depicts members beheading a dummy outside the Bendigo council’s office.

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Originally published as Protesters swarm Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for racial vilification case