Anti-immigration rally descends into violence as cops are forced to use pepper spray and tear gas to break up demonstrators
Crowds of opposing protesters have clashed in Melbourne’s CBD during nationwide anti-immigration rallies, with police forced to intervene.
Riot police gathered in Melbourne on Sunday as anti-racism counter protesters confronted anti-migration March for Australia demonstrators near parliament.
Officers fought to keep the two groups separate and deployed capsicum spray and arrested at least one attendee.
Efforts to make further arrests were hampered when attendees began to throw missiles at the officers, including eggs and glass containers.
Meanwhile, anti-immigration protesters clashed with police on nearby Spring Street, where officers discharged tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.
It is the second instalment of the March for Australia rallies, arranged nationwide to protest what organisers refer to as ‘mass migration’.
An earlier demonstration by the group in August led to a series of brawls and was attended by far-right extremists.
Protests and counter-protests have been organised across Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide on Sunday.
A protester is pictured refusing to be searched at the March for Australia rally in Melbourne
A demonstrator is pictured holding a sign reading ‘Hang Albo’, adding it should be done ‘lawfully’ for alleged breaches of human rights in small font
Protesters have gathered nationwide to oppose ‘mass migration’. Demonstrators are pictured in Sydney, with one holding a sign reading: ‘worst PM in history’
Police have yet to release estimates on the turnout, but early indicators suggest significantly fewer people turned out than in August.
Nonetheless, large swathes of Sydney and Melbourne’s CBD’s have been blocked off, with police maintaining a strong presence in both cities.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Sydney’s CBD, draped in Australian flags and chanting: ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – oi, oi, oi’.
A demonstrator was picturedcarrying a sign reading: ‘Hang Albo’ in large font.
In smaller font, it adds it should be done so ‘lawfully’ for alleged breaches of human rights and international law.
More to come.
