Lauren Southern: protesters out to disrupt right wing commentator’s event
Protesters accused of kicking an own goal at Lauren Southern’s alt-right event as stage invader tries to ‘dive on top of’ provocateur.
Opponents trying to disrupt a public speaking tour by Canadian alt-right commentator Lauren Southern have been accused of kicking an own goal by drawing more attention to the event with a violent protest outside.
Ms Southern joked that is was all “very fun” as two anti-fascist protesters who managed to get inside the venue and interrupt her address were evicted.
“Any more ticket sales for Antifa?” she quipped, as the women were hauled off by security guards.
In a clip posted to social media, a protester accused by an audience member of trying to “dive on top of” Ms Southern as she bows to the crowd can be seen being pulled off stage by her arms and legs by security guards while screaming “I love refugees!”
As many as 200 protesters clashed with police in full riot gear as they tried to block a major Melbourne highway, where buses were shuttling ticketholders to the function at Somerton’s La Mirage Reception and Convention centre.
At one point, the group rushed at a bus filled with attendees, slapping it and chanting “surround the Nazi bus” while being mooned by a man inside it.
Police have cordoned off Hume hwy as left and right wing clashes spill onto the road @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/nS0PDRAGy0
— Genevieve Alison (@GenevieveAlison) July 20, 2018
Inside, Ms Southern’s speech was interrupted by protesters with banners and chanting “racism off out streets”, according to the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance group.
Protester Nita Habibi, who was pounced on by security as she invaded the stage during Ms Southern’s presentation.
“I love freedom of speech,” Ms Habibi told The Australian after being evicted. “I wanted to interrupt the thing. I think it’s really dangerous what’s happening. Hate speech should be interrupted.”
Right-wing activist Neil Erikson filmed protesters before being hauled away from police.
He and two other men are charged with affray and riot over an incident outside an event by controversial commentator Milo Yiannopoulos last year.
Police have cordoned off Hume hwy as left and right wing clashes spill onto the road @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/nS0PDRAGy0
— Genevieve Alison (@GenevieveAlison) July 20, 2018
Police, who billed Ms Southern $68,000 for the resources they put into keeping the peace, say they were “disappointed” by the actions of protesters, who were lambasted on social media for giving extra publicity to the visiting Canadian provocateur, who is known for her controversial views on multiculturalism, Islam and feminism and was banned in March from entering the UK.
Anti-Southern protesters blocked the Hume Highway and police attempted to subdue them with pepper spray before surrounding the group against a fence.
“Their actions put their lives, the lives of the public and the lives of police officers at risk,” Commander Tim Hansen said.
“The safety of the community is our main concern and our officers could have been used more effectively across Melbourne on a Friday night. It is disappointing that we had to use significant resources to mediate between two groups with opposing views.”
In a statement later issued by the protest group, Ms Habibi said Ms Southern “spouts an extremely Islamophobic rhetoric that is nothing short of hate speech. She is a dangerous individual whose false views on Muslims stir up polarisation and violence. We have come here tonight to peacefully object to the promotion of hate.”
Blair Cottrell, who once led the far-right United Patriots Front, attended the event and watched the protest before being told to go back inside.
Antifa ran and tried to dive on top of Lauren during her speech. Security stopped it at the last second. Shocking scenes pic.twitter.com/nBtE02Nnoc
— Caolan Robertson (@CaolanRob) July 20, 2018
“Apparently my presence is antagonising people,” he told The Weekend Australian.
Protesters had earlier gathered at Broadmeadow’s station and targeted audience members who were to be bussed to the event.
Armed with megaphones, members of Campaign Against Racism and Fascism urged onlookers to let the departing buses know what they thought of them.
“There are bus loads of people off to hear about white supremism,” one shouted.
Organisers later altered the bus route to get the final two bus loads of passengers in from the south, while riot police held protesters off about a kilometre away on the Hume Highway.
More than 800 people have purchased tickets to hear Ms Southern and Mr Molyneux — both described as alt-right commentators — speak.
Ms Southern is well-known for her controversial commentary on feminism, free speech and immigration, sounding off on Nine’s A Current Affair this week about women being “not psychologically developed to hold leadership positions”. She was initially denied a visa to enter Australia. While Mr Molyneux is the equally controversial host of Freedomain Radio, a popular philosophy program.
Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, the group behind a similar protest against controversial British commentator Milo Yiannopoulos that turned violent last year, were expecting several hundred supporters to attend the protest to ensure that the pair “regret the moment they decided they would come here to try and spread their views.”
Last night’s event was to start with the screening of Farmlands, billed as “the world’s first comprehensive documentary on South Africa and the looming options between genocide and civil war” after which Ms Southern and Mr Molyneux will give a speech. They will also visit Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane.
- with AAP
Women egged in anti-Semitic attack at Bondi Beach
Three men allegedly set upon a number of women on Saturday night in Sydney's east, throwing eggs at them, with police believing they were targeted because of the clothes they were wearing.
Nation ‘must not go down road’ of faith-based parties: PM
Parties founded on religion would undermine social cohesion, according to Anthony Albanese, as he reminded rogue senator Fatima Payman that she owed her election to Labor pre-selection.