
Rallies and counter-protests took place across Australia with lower attendance compared to previous events. Clashes erupted between police and anti-racism protesters in Melbourne, resulting in arrests and the use of capsicum spray. Participants expressed varied motivations, including opposition to immigration policies, concerns about net-zero initiatives, and the desire to counter perceived racism and far-right ideologies.
People are gathering in cities across the country for March for Australia rallies and counter protests, however numbers appear to be lower than previous events. Police clashed with anti-racism protesters in Melbourne , with officers deploying capsicum spray and arresting at least one person.
She took these pictures as March for Australia protesters first gathered in Hyde Park and then started making their way through the CBD:As Melbourne reporter Natasha Schapova concluded her live cross to ABC News Channel, large bangs were heard echoing through the CBD behind her, as protesters continued to clash with police.The group clashed with anti-racism protesters at the base of the bridge, with police keeping between the two groups.counter protests as part of a contingent of university students and staff, said he attended to send a message to the anti-immigration protesters. “Unfortunately, not for the first time, we’ve seen racist, far-right agitators marching through our streets here in the heart of Melbourne,” he said. “We want to go and confront them, to outnumber them, to show them that this is an anti-racist town, that they’re not welcome here, that migrants and refugees are welcome here.”March for Australia rally because he wants to put “Australia first” ahead of globalist movements, and wants to see a “sensible immigration” policy. “We got 1 million people in the last three years but we’re still talking about a skills shortage,” he said.”Housing, it’s just so congested in the cities these days. “The net zero is not going to achieve anything on the climate but it’s going to cost us trillion of dollars, it’s not going to meet our energy needs into the future.”She said the anti-immigration protest being held across the city was spreading “dangerous rhetoric”. “I’m here because I believe the March for Australia is racist and an early sign of fascism,” she said.”It’s either to perpetuate racism or misogyny, but I’ve seen this pattern many times and I just believe it’s very problematic and not based on truth,” she said.Around 30 people gathered in Civic Park at 10:30am ACST local time adorned in Australian and Eureka flags. Following a brief discussion, the crowd decided to regather at 12pm ACST, with some attendees noting they had seen different start times advertised on various platforms.The group has made its way to the southern edge of Hyde Park before turning back towards Belmore Park. March for Australia demonstrators are gathering on the northern end of Hyde Park, but there is a heavy police presence to ensure the two protest groups don’t meet each other.”I’m here to stand for my country and just show my support for what I stand for, which is Australia first,” Mr Plesa said.Ms Pycroft has told reporter Jessica Moran she feels mass immigration “is just not on anymore”.”I’ve just become a great-grandmother, and I know she hasn’t got a future., has told rally attendees not to be disappointed by the turnout. Mr Trihey is from the National Workers Alliance, a self-described movement “dedicated to the preservation of Western Culture and Identity”. He has previously claimed people with “European blood” face an “existential threat” from immigration. Responding to questions from the ABC ahead of the rally, Mr Trihey said he had never been a member of a neo-Nazi organisation. “The National Worker’s Alliance is a nationalist organisation,” Mr Trihey said at the Melbourne event. “We currently advocate for the people of European descent in the same way every other ethnic group racial group should and does advocate for themselves.”He was also part of the estimated 15,000 people at the August rally, and says he has also been to Canberra and “all over”, describing himself as someone who “turns up”.I’m not a fan of digital ID. I think cash is king.After a tense standoff where insults were hurled at police officers, at least one protester was detained by police.OC spray was then deployed, with several protesters being affected. Others used umbrellas to block the spray, screaming “shame” at the officers.Protester John Woods said he believed migrants were being unfairly scapegoated for Australia’s housing affordability problems.”It’s a problem with government policies on housing.””Most migrants are studying, working and also paying tax,” she said.Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi told the crowd that their “anti-racist” message would win out.More than 100 people are at the anti-racism rally on Hobart’s Parliament Lawns, with many carrying signs with messages of support for migrants.”There’s a lot of divisive politics going on at the moment that are trying to divide the working class against each other instead of uniting to stop the rich,” he says.”It feels really weird in this current moment where we’re seeing a real resurgence in fascist policies and politics at a national and international level through to grassroots levels,” she says. Ms Brennan described the March for Australia rally taking place across the road as “a bit of a miserable affair”.he CBD and botanical gardens have been declared a search area by police.Organiser Ian Rintoul said his group couldn’t allow the March for Australia rally to go unanswered. He said the presence of Neo-Nazis at earlier March for Australia rallies should serve as a warning to anyone considering attending. “We want to send a very, very strong message that racism is not welcome on the streets of Sydney or anywhere else in Australia. “I don’t think there’s any excuse for anyone at March for Australia thinking that they’re marching with anything other than the organised far right.”Analysis by Lucia Stein
March For Australia Protests Melbourne Anti-Racism Immigration
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video appears to show March for Australia organiser coordinating with Neo-NaziA previously unreported video has emerged appearing to show a key March for Australia organiser coordinating with a Neo-Nazi at the first rally in Sydney in August, ABC NEWS Verify has found.
Read more ”
Millions March Against Trump in Coordinated Protests Across the USMassive protests erupted across the United States, with millions marching against President Donald Trump and his administration. Demonstrators voiced concerns about authoritarianism, attacks on democratic institutions, and perceived threats to equality and fairness. Rallies took place in numerous cities, including Washington, D.C., and New York City, with protesters expressing a range of grievances and perspectives on the state of the nation.
Read more ”
Millions March Against Trump Across the US in Largest Coordinated ProtestsMassive protests erupted across the United States, with millions of Americans demonstrating against Donald Trump and his administration, decrying its policies and actions. The protests, the largest coordinated demonstrations since Trump took office, highlighted concerns over authoritarianism, erosion of democratic principles, and the ongoing government shutdown.
Read more ”
Millions March Against Trump in Coordinated Protests Across the USMassive protests erupted across the United States, with millions marching against Donald Trump’s administration, denouncing what they perceive as authoritarian policies and a threat to democratic values. The demonstrations, involving thousands in cities like New York and Washington D.C., were the largest since Trump took office, fueled by concerns over government shutdowns, attacks on democratic institutions, and perceived threats to equality and fairness.
Read more ”
Anti-trump protestors gather at thousands of ‘No Kings’ rallies7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today’s news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more ”
Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Ceasefire After Border ClashesPakistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement on an immediate ceasefire following border clashes, with Qatar and Turkey mediating the negotiations in Doha. The two countries will hold follow-up meetings to ensure the ceasefire’s sustainability and address cross-border terrorism.
Read more “

