Anti-immigration, anti-racist groups clash in Melbourne rallies
Protesters at the anti-racism rally begin to gather at Parliament House on Sunday morning.
(Photo: TiVi Tuan-san)
MELBOURNE – Violence has broken out in Melbourne’s CBD, despite two opposing racism groups being kept apart.
More than 400 police were on patrol to try to control the rival rallies, involving more than 150 anti-racism and anti-immigration activists.
According to reports, media representatives have been attacked during the rallies and Australian flags have also been burned.
About 100 activists from the anti-racism group, Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, had earlier gathered at the steps of Parliament, chanting lines including “No hate, no fear, fascists are not welcome here”.
Further down Spring Street, up to 60 anti-immigration activists from the True Blue Crew marched in a rally organisers said was to “celebrate” the Australian flag, the ABC reports.
Groups for and against Islam clashed violently at a Coburg rally in late May and Police Minister Lisa Neville had asked families to avoid Sunday’s protest outside parliament.
“Both parties deliberately set out to cause tension, perpetrate hate and perpetrate violence – no one has that right,” Ms Neville told reporters last week.
Protestors at the anti-racism rally hold a sign reading “No to Racism”.
(Photo: TiVi Tuan-san)
Today’s rally coincides with a report that tough new laws are set to be introduced in Victoria to “stop public protests becoming battlegrounds”.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the government will introduce public order laws applying additional penalties for wearing masks while engaged in riotous behaviour.
“If you commit a violent act and you are wearing a mask, then you will receive a significantly higher penalty because of the cowardly nature of wearing that mask,” Mr Andrews said.
“You will feel the full force of the law because hardworking Victorians and their government are sick and tired of having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, indeed millions of dollars, to deal with this sort of riotous behaviour.”
Superintendent David Clayton addressed the media after the rallies and violence had ended, saying police welcomed talks with government about tougher to crack down on violent protestors.
“Victoria Police welcomes discussions with government to discuss laws that help us to deal with people who come with an intent to cause disruption or violent behaviour,” he said.
New laws to tackle violent protesters, including new public disorder, affray and violent disorder offences will reportedly be put to parliament by the Andrews Government before the end of the year.
– TiVi Tuan-san
