March for Australia rallies and counter-protests taking place across Australia

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3 weeks ago31 Aug 6:27pm

That's a wrap

We are concluding our coverage of today's anti-immigration protests and counter protests. Here is a recap of what happened:

Anti-immigration and counter protesters clashed across Australia as thousands took to the streets calling for a stop to "mass migration".
March For Australia supporters donned Australian flags and shouted expletive-laden slogans, with neo-Nazis and right-wing politicians among those at the rallies.

A counter protester is restrained by anti-immigration protesters during a rally in Canberra. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Crowds across the country were mostly non-violent but police were forced to use pepper spray to separate some pro and anti-immigration protesters.
Police said several arrests have been made in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
Police made several arrests in Melbourne and Adelaide. Source: AAP / Michael Currie
Federal MP Bob Katter joined a rally in Townsville, while One Nation senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts attended at a rally in Canberra.
Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, who leads the National Socialist Network, spoke at a Melbourne rally.
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How the March for Australia anti-immigration rallies and counter-protests unfolded

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3 weeks ago31 Aug 2:59pm

Experts warn misinformation and fear fuelling division

The protest organisers have said their aim is an end to "mass immigration" and to "take our country back", with some who've spoken at today's rallies attempting to link migration with issues like cost of living and housing accessibility.

Experts told SBS News earlier this month that misinformation blaming migrants for deeper societal problems has been central to a rise in anti-immigration sentiment in Australia.

"Increasingly, we're seeing Australians fear that they're being left behind and that fear — whether real or simply perceived — is something that we cannot ignore," ANU demographer Liz Allen said.

"That loss of hope means fear can take over, and that's a very powerful emotion at the heart of anti-immigration sentiment," she said.

You can read more on the issues that have fuelled growing anti-immigration sentiment in this story by Alexandra Koster earlier this month:

These protests want to 'take our country back'. But the real issues run much deeper

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 6:26pm

Victoria Police arrests six, says 'violence' occurred

Six people have been arrested during the protests in Melbourne, Victoria Police said, adding that "confrontation and violence" occurred.

"Those arrested face charges which include assault police, behave in a riotous manner, attempted robbery, assault, and resist police," the police said.

Victoria Police estimated 5,000 people participated in the rallies, which saw disparate groups converge and march to various CBD locations.

3 weeks ago31 Aug 5:33pm

Arrests made in Adelaide, but rallies held 'without major disruption'

South Australia Police said they made three arrests in Adelaide during today's rallies.

But they said that the demonstrations were held "safely and without major disruption".

According to police estimates, 15,000 people joined the protests — including both the anti-immigration rallies and the counter-protests — and were "generally well behaved".

3 weeks ago31 Aug 4:23pm

NSW Police say one woman arrested, operation has ended with 'no significant incidents'

NSW Police has released a statement about its police operation today, after several protests throughout the CBD along with the Sydney Marathon.

Police said one woman was arrested in Hyde Park — where a pro-Palestinian protest was held — for allegedly breaching the peace, and was taken to a police station. No injuries were reported.

Hundreds of police were deployed across the city, with the deployment including officers from the Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit and PolAir.

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 3:48pm

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell speaks at Melbourne rally

The Melbourne anti-immigration rally's final speaker was Thomas Sewell, a far-right extremist who leads the National Socialist Network, a neo-Nazi group.

The official March for Australia Instagram account had distanced itself from extremist figures like Sewell, who allegedly tried to claim the march as his group's event. Sewell had called the protests "our" rally on the messaging app Telegram.

Thomas Sewell speaking into a microphone.

Thomas Sewell speaks during the March for Australia anti-immigration rally in Melbourne. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

A March for Australia spokesperson told SBS News earlier this month: "Attempts to hijack March For Australia for other issues, or to make it about any one group, are not in the spirit of the movement that we have taken custody of."

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 3:44pm

Sydney's anti-immigration rally in pictures

Thousands of people were estimated to attend the anti-immigration rally in Sydney, walking from Belmore Park near Central Station down Broadway to Victoria Park near the University of Sydney.

A counter-protest was also held in a separate part of the city, along with a weekly pro-Palestinian protest.

Here are some images from the 'March for Australia' rally:

A large crowd of people standing in protest.

Anti-immigration protesters in Sydney began their demonstration near Belmore Park. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

A large group of people walking down a street, many waving Australian flags.

Protesters during the 'March for Australia' anti-immigration rally in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

A large group of people holding a banner that says "March for Australia - end mass-immigration now".

Source: SBS

A group of people waving flags while marching down a road.

Source: SBS

3 weeks ago31 Aug 3:11pm

Protesters and counter-protesters face each other in Brisbane

Anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters have also come face-to-face in Brisbane, at Roma Street Parklands in the city's CBD.

Police formed a line between the two groups to separate them.

A group of protesters holding up Australian flags is separated by police from a gorup of protesters, many of whom are wearing keffiyeh scarves.

Anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters were separated by police in Brisbane. Source: AAP / Darren England

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 2:43pm

Protests converge in Melbourne

In Melbourne, anti-immigration rallies and pro-Palestinian protests converged, meeting each other on Collins Street, despite police efforts to keep the demonstrations separate.

The groups also clashed at the intersection of Bourke and Swanston streets — there have been regular pro-Palestinian protests held at the State Library on Swanston Street each week.

Protesters and police on.an intersection.

Protesters and counter-protesters have met on Collins Street. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 2:21pm

Pauline Hanson addresses crowd at Canberra rally

An apparent few hundred anti-immigration demonstrators gathered in Canberra, where One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed the crowd.

"If you don't love it, I'll be the first one to take you to the airport and put you on a plane," she told those in attendance. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts also addressed the crowd.

There were also physical clashes between March for Australia protesters and demonstrators who had gathered to oppose them.

Pauline Hanson wearing an Australian flag, holding a microphone and speaking into it. She's surrounded by peolpe, many of whom are also carrying an Australian flag.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed anti-immigration protesters in Canberra. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

— Alex Gallagher

3 weeks ago31 Aug 2:18pm

Anti-immigration protesters gather across the country

Anti-immigration protesters have gathered in major cities across the country as part of a series of demonstrations called March for Australia.

In some cities, including Sydney and Melbourne, anti-racism counter-protests are also taking place in response.

A large crowd of protesters, many holding Australian flags.

March for Australia protesters in Brisbane. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

A group of protesters being held back by police officers on a street.

Police and anti-immigration protesters on Collins Street in Melbourne. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

3 weeks ago31 Aug 2:18pm

Welcome to the live blog

Thanks for joining our live coverage of the anti-immigration rallies taking place in major cities across Australia.

Organisers of the controversial protests have called for an end to what they describe as a government policy of "mass migration". The Australian Bureau of Statistics has questioned a flurry of social media posts ahead of the day, claiming 1,500 migrants were arriving in Australia each day. The ABS warned they were not an accurate reflection of immigration in Australia.

The government has widely condemned the demonstrations, and a large police presence is expected, with several other events happening in some capital cities at the same time. Catch up on what you need to know below:

Anti-immigration rallies are happening in major cities today. Here's what you need to know

— Alex Gallagher

Arrests made as protesters clash at anti-immigration rallies — as it happened

Demonstrators in headlocks and police using pepper spray to disperse crowds have marked a day of the so-called March for Australia rallies.

That's a wrap

READ MORE

Experts warn misinformation and fear fuelling division

READ MORE

Victoria Police arrests six, says 'violence' occurred

Arrests made in Adelaide, but rallies held 'without major disruption'

NSW Police say one woman arrested, operation has ended with 'no significant incidents'

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell speaks at Melbourne rally

Sydney's anti-immigration rally in pictures

Protesters and counter-protesters face each other in Brisbane

Protests converge in Melbourne

Pauline Hanson addresses crowd at Canberra rally

Anti-immigration protesters gather across the country

Welcome to the live blog

READ MORE

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Arrests made as protesters clash at anti-immigration rallies — as it happened

Demonstrators in headlocks and police using pepper spray to disperse crowds have marked a day of the so-called March for Australia rallies.

That's a wrap

READ MORE

Experts warn misinformation and fear fuelling division

READ MORE

Victoria Police arrests six, says 'violence' occurred

Arrests made in Adelaide, but rallies held 'without major disruption'

NSW Police say one woman arrested, operation has ended with 'no significant incidents'

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell speaks at Melbourne rally

Sydney's anti-immigration rally in pictures

Protesters and counter-protesters face each other in Brisbane

Protests converge in Melbourne

Pauline Hanson addresses crowd at Canberra rally

Anti-immigration protesters gather across the country

Welcome to the live blog

READ MORE

previous

1of1

next

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