The federal government says it stands with "modern Australia" against the upcoming 'March for Australia' rallies, saying there is "no place" for people who seek division, after some members of immigrant communities voiced concern they could become "targets" of discrimination and hate over the weekend.
On 31 August, multiple events are being planned across major Australian cities as part of the protests calling for on end to "mass immigration". Organisers claim "endless migration, weak leadership and political cowardice" have caused Australia to change "in ways most of us never agreed to".
In response, Indian influencers and community leaders have urged members of their communities to "stay inside" and avoid protests for "your safety".
Amar Singh, the founder of Turbans 4 Australia and the 2023 Australian Local Hero, described the protest as an "attack on our Australian multicultural society".
"I sincerely urge people that are hosting this protest to rethink their position," he told SBS Punjabi.
"I also want to warn other people who might be out and about doing the work on the 31st to be careful if this does go ahead, because this sort of hate does not discriminate."
He said immigrants near the protests could become "targets".
An Uber driver said he feared for his safety working on Sunday.
"I work more on weekends, so I don't know what's going to happen. But it's scary," he told SBS Punjabi.
What is March For Australia?
Groups of Australians are planning to demonstrate on Sunday for the controversial 'March For Australia' protests, which call for an end to what organisers describe as "mass migration" and reclamation of Australia's identity.
While details of the protests on the organisers' site are minimal, the group has emphasised one rule for the march — "no foreign flags".
Instead, they have called for a "sea of red and blue", with Australian ensigns and Eureka flags.
It's still unclear who is organising the march.
'Stay inside' warning on social media
Mandeep Singh, whose personal account has over 30,000 followers on Instagram, posted a video to social media questioning whether people would be safe on 31 August.
He said the protests send a "dangerous" anti-immigration message.
Yash Mittra spoke to his 127,000 Instagram followers in Hindi, warning people to stay inside this weekend.
"Please protect yourself. We don't know what will happen. 31 August 2025," the caption reads.
"Australia's anti-immigrant protest is dangerous."
Another account on TikTok called Straw Hat Mimi suggests Black, Indigenous and people of colour avoid work if possible on Sunday.
"Please be safe, take care of yourself, if you can avoid going into work, don't go into work, stay home," she said.
"These things will often turn violent."
'Nothing could be less Australian'
Last week, the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) issued a statement on the rally, saying "singling out new arrivals or culturally diverse communities ignores our shared history".
"We can hold different views on policy, but we must never allow those debates to turn into attacks on people’s identity or heritage," FECCA chair Peter Doukas OAM said.
"Our diversity is a strength, and it must be protected. We urge leaders and communities to reject any messages that promote racism or exclusion."
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told SBS News: "There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion.
"We stand with modern Australia against these rallies — nothing could be less Australian."
Describing multiculturalism as part of Australia's national identity, Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said: "We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and who seek to intimidate migrant communities."
"This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia."
SBS News has sought comment from FECCA.
