Anti-immigration protests flock to city centres, with Melbourne’s demonstration turning violent

ABC NEWS (Australia)

As feared Sunday’s anti-immigration protests in the heart of Melbourne turned violent. As demonstrators from opposing camps fought in the streets. It was just one of a series of nationwide march for Australia rallies that brought tense moments in several cities.

Transcript

00:00Violence erupts in the centre of Melbourne.

00:05As anti-immigration protesters, led by men dressed in black, clash with counter-protesters.

00:16Hopelessly outnumbered, a police officer deploys pepper spray before moving away,

00:22while a woman's slammed to the ground.

00:25A protester launches into a group, knocking over a Channel 9 cameraman.

00:31Earlier, thousands gathered at Flinders Street,

00:34many waving Australian flags, calling for an end to mass migration.

00:39Are you worried about violence here today?

00:41Well, if it happens, it happens.

00:43This isn't about racism, this is about change.

00:47I'm here to have a serious discussion with the Albanese government about mass immigration.

00:53But walking among the crowd, well-known neo-Nazis.

00:56The rally was initially contained by police, before being allowed to march to state parliament.

01:03Meeting pro-Palestine marchers on the way, who were staging a counter-protest.

01:07I'm here to welcome!

01:08I'm here to welcome!

01:09I'm here to welcome!

01:10I'm here to welcome!

01:11I'm here to welcome!

01:12I'm here to welcome!

01:13I'm here to welcome!

01:14I'm here to welcome!

01:15Police trying to quell the violence as the groups splintered across the city.

01:17Spontaneous skirmishers are popping up all through the city today,

01:20every time the protest group and the counter-protesters meet.

01:24Police are having to run between these groups to try to maintain the peace.

01:28Despite denying its involvement in organising the march, National Socialist Network members were prominent.

01:35A neo-Nazi leader bestowed the honour of final keynote speaker.

01:39The final speaker for today is Thomas Sowell!

01:42Around the country, similar scenes unfolded.

01:49Aussie nation!

01:50Aussie nation!

01:51Stop the invasion!

01:52Stop the invasion!

01:53Stop the invasion!

01:54In Sydney, police say there were about 15,000 in the crowd.

01:58Members of a neo-Nazi group were also among the speakers there.

02:03But were booed out by others at the protest.

02:06Bob Catter was met with Cheers in Townsville,

02:09days after threatening to punch a journalist who referenced his Lebanese heritage.

02:13While in Adelaide, a sign featuring alleged police killer Desi Freeman was held up.

02:18And neo-Nazis attempted to take control, despite a mic being cut.

02:23.

02:24.

02:25.

02:26.

02:28.

02:29.

02:30.

02:31.

02:32.

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