Local newspaper The Age reported that the group of around 100 people had only just begun its rally at 11 a.m. (GMT0200) when the counter-demonstrators attempted to breach police lines.
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Coalition Against Racism and Fascism supporters have driven away small groups of Reclaim Australia protesters who appear to have delayed their protest, possibly to coincide with a United Patriots Front rally later on Saturday.
MELBOURNE, Australia – Hundreds of police were deployed in Western Australia on Saturday to break up violent protests near Parliament House in Melbourne after demonstrators from a right wing anti-Islam group faced off against anti-racism groups.
According to the ABC, police arrested at least four people for violence-related offences including attacks on police horses.
“””(Police) were at significant threat of having their lines over run and it was a tool we had to use at the time”, he said.
Reclaim Australia protesters have been seen carrying signs saying “patriotism is not racism” and “stop non-white immigration”.
About 450 police were on hand following violent clashes at a similar rally earlier this year and used pepper spray as they struggled to keep the two sides apart. Coalition Against Racism and Fascism spokeswoman Vashti Kenway said anti-racism groups were mobilising to send a message that their rivals’ views were not acceptable. Deputy Premier James Merlino said the community did not like seeing ugly scenes like those witnessed in Melbourne.
These rallies were the first in a series over this weekend, with more than a dozen planned in towns and cities throughout Australia for Sunday, July 19. Other Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front protesters said halal certification was a stepping stone to allowing sharia law in Australia.
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Victorian Greens acting leader Nina Springle said Reclaim Australia was a small group trying to stir up racist fears about Muslims. “Our diversity is one of our state’s greatest strengths…it’s up to all of us to protect our diversity, celebrate it, send a message to those very small number of people that the spreading of hatred, the spreading of bigotry, is simply not tolerated”, he said.
