Victoria Police are on high alert today as the nationwide “March for Australia” rally is set to begin at 12:00pm at Flinders Street Station. Concerns are growing that far-right groups, Neo-Nazis, and left-wing counter-protesters will clash in the Melbourne CBD.
Police have announced a “significant operational response” and declared the CBD a designated area, allowing officers to search for weapons and order protesters to remove face coverings.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan addressed the issue at a multicultural gala on Saturday night, condemning the presence of extremist groups:
“Australia isn’t a place where we walk with Nazis. Australia isn’t a place where we spread hate and fear about foreigners.”
Organisers of March for Australia claim immigration policies are “tearing communities apart” and have singled out Indian migration, calling it a form of “replacement.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government condemned the rallies as “far-right activism grounded in racism.” Left-wing organisations have urged supporters to mobilise in “anti-fascist action” to push extremists off the streets.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin also denounced the protests, voicing concern over the “anti-Indian sentiment” in some of the campaign’s material:
“Our state has been built on the contributions of generations of migrants. Any attempt to incite hatred or division is completely unacceptable.”
Police have urged the public to avoid the CBD today, warning of heavy traffic disruptions and possible violence. The Jewish community has also been advised by the Community Security Group to steer clear of potentially “unsafe areas.”
Tensions have been escalating since August 9, when around 100 people took part in a surprise Neo-Nazi march through central Melbourne. At that time, Jacinta Allan declared:
“Nazis don’t belong in this country and they know it, that’s why they hide behind masks in the dark.”
As Sunday unfolds, all eyes remain on Melbourne to see whether today’s demonstrations will remain peaceful or descend into violence.
