Thousands rallied across major Australian cities including Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne to demand an end to mass immigration. About 5,000 protesters and counter-protesters converged in Melbourne, where clashes erupted repeatedly and prompted deployment of the riot squad, which used pepper spray and baton rounds. At least six people were arrested on charges including assault. The rallies, held under the banner March for Australia, were condemned by the government as racist and described by the multicultural affairs minister as organised by Nazis. Organisers blamed mass migration for eroding community bonds; critics warned of rising right-wing extremism in a diverse nation.
About 5,000 protesters, some draped in the Australian flag, and counter-protesters turned up in Melbourne, the SBS Network reported, citing the police. The network said violent clashes between the two groups erupted multiple times, prompting the police to deploy the riot squad who used pepper spray and baton rounds to keep the groups apart. At least six people were arrested in the city for charges including assault, according to SBS.
The group behind March for Australia said on its website and social media that mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together and that its rallies aimed to do what the mainstream politicians never have the courage to do: demand an end to mass immigration. Critics denounced the claim, expressing concern over a rise in right-wing extremism in Australia, where one in two people is either born overseas or has a parent born overseas.
Collection
[
|
...
]