Freeman placard ignites fury as rival demonstrators clash at anti-immigration protests
A placard featuring alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman inflamed an Adelaide protest, while violent clashes erupted in Melbourne and Sydney as anti-immigration protests swept across the country.
Rival protesters clashed in Melbourne as rallies across the country that included far-right extremists called for “mass immigration” to end.
The Melbourne CBD was thrown into chaos on Sunday after thousands of people marching from Federation Square to state parliament as part of the “March for Australia” rally were confronted and blocked by counter protesters.
In Adelaide, police estimated 15,000 took to the streets from both groups, and a man was spotted at Rundle Park holding a placard featuring a picture of alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman. The sign featured the words “Free Man”, along with a Southern Cross symbol and black and white photo of the fugitive gunman.
Protesters taunted police officers in Melbourne about the events in Porepunkah, with one man saying “They won’t have anyone looking for Dezi today, they’re all here.”
Another man yelled at officers: “You all have your body cams (cameras) on now, you didn’t at Porepunkah.”
Police said there were similar attendance rates in Sydney, and “no significant incidents”. One woman was arrested for breaching the peace.
In the nation’s capital, about 1000 protesters gathered on Parliament House lawns, where they were addressed by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. who said she was “proud” to see so many people in attendance.
Melbourne’s protests were marred by violence, though the first physical altercation of the day occurred among people who were on the same side.
A fight broke out between pro-Israel online commentator Avi Yemini and neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, as well as their security guards and followers in the crowd. People who appeared to be members of the National Socialist Network yelled “Deport, deport” at Mr Yemini.
The violence escalated when the “March for Australia” protesters began moving towards parliament. Police deployed pepper spray and could be seen pushing counter-protesters away.
Bottles, eggs and other objects were thrown across the police line.
The crowd chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi,” then charged down Bourke Street towards the steps of state parliament. Protest organiser and far-right activist Hugo Lennon later addressed the huge crowd from the steps, hitting out at Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for criticising the protest as “un-Australian”.
He told the crowd the next time they gathered would be on Australia Day.
The rival groups clashed again on Bourke Street as “March for Australia” protesters tried to return to Federation Square.
The riot squad was brought in to forcefully push pro-Palestine protesters out of the CBD. Crowds began to disperse about 4pm, after they were told to move on by police.
A Victoria Police spokesperson estimated 5000 people descended on Melbourne as part of the protests and revealed that six arrests were made.
Those arrested face charges including assaulting police, behaving in a riotous manner, attempted robbery, assault and resisting police.
Two police officers were injured after being struck by bottles, though they did not require hospitalisation.
“There is absolutely no place for any of this violent and disruptive behaviour in Victoria,” the spokesperson said, adding they will review CCTV vision from the rally to investigate further offences.
Additional reporting: James Dowling, NewsWire
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