Anti-Islam and anti-racism groups clash in the street as rival demonstrations in Melbourne turn ugly and riot and mounted police struggle to maintain control
- Gangs of rival protesters and police clash in ugly scenes in Melbourne
- Officers forced to try and keep the anti-Islam and anti-racism groups apart
- United Patriots Front planned event to 'protect Australia from Sharia Law'
- Other group, Campaign Against Racism and Facism, staged counter-rally
- No arrests made by police, but one man expected to face weapons charge
Gangs of rival protesters have clashed on the streets in Melbourne, as about 100 police officers fight to keep them apart.
The opposing groups were made up of anti-Islam and anti-racism activists, with events turning violent on Sunday afternoon.
The
United Patriots Front, a run-off from the anti-Islam Reclaim Australia
group that was involved in violent protests in Melbourne earlier this
year, staged a demonstration outside Richmond Town Hall in Melbourne's
inner southeast, according to the AAP.
Scroll down for video
Protesters attempt to fight through a
strong police presence in Melbourne, as an anti-Islam event clashes with
anti-racism activists
The group, which identifies itself as 'Aussie patriots', set out on a march about 1:30pm.
Protests in Melbourne and Sydney turn violent as anti-Islam...
The poignant moment a brave young man protesting against...
Another
group, Campaign Against Racism and Facism, staged a counter-rally at
the same time, which led to the ugly scenes and violent clashes.
Nationalist protesters are seen yelling at anti-racism activists during a rally in Melbourne on Sunday
Hundreds of people attempt to push
through police, who are patrolling the area surrounding Richmond Town
Hall where the rally is being held
Rival activists come face-to-face in ugly scenes in Melbourne between anti-Islam and anti-racism supporters
Police on foot and horseback attempted to keep the rival groups apart, and closed nearby roads in the area.
The anti-Islam group said it was reclaiming Australia from communism and protecting the country from Sharia Law, according to The Age.
No
arrests were made during the protests, however police spoke to one man
regarding the possession of a knife. He is expected to be charged with
weapons offences, according to a Victoria Police spokeswoman.
Prostesters and police clash outside the town hall in Richmond during the opposing events
A United Patriots Front member talks to the crowd during the protest on Sunday afternoon
Police officers try to hold firm as the two groups of protesters surged towards each other
The crowd of counter-protesters chanted 'f*** off fascists' and 'you'll always lose in Melbourne' as they opposed the march.
The rally coincides with an Islamic Council of Victoria community forum.
A Victoria Police spokesman said officers were in place to maintain community safety.
'Victoria
Police respects the right of the community to express their views
peacefully and lawfully, but will not tolerate those who break the law '
a statement said.
The United Patriots Front, a run-off
from the anti-Islam Reclaim Australia group that was involved in violent
protests in Melbourne earlier this year, planned the demonstration
The anti-Islam rally is similar to those that took place in a number of cities across Australia earlier this year
Streets in the area surrounding the protests were closed by police in an effort to keep the groups apart
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment