TRANSCRIPT
(Sound of chanting anf singing by First Nations performers)
Ceremony, protest and reflection.
A fortnight after neo-Nazis attacked the sacred Aboriginal burial site called Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne, Australians turned up in large numbers to take a stand against racism.
"Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land!"
"Nazis are not welcome here!
So far, 10 arrests have been made.
Local Indigenous elder Uncle Crow says the spirit of peace has been destroyed and he is determined to focus on bringing the community together.
He says he has been heartened to see the show of support, with thousands turning up for what’s been called the Indigenous Sovereignty marches around the country.
"We're not going to let anyone divide us (applause). We're the oldest practising culture and civilisation on the planet (clapping)."
Victoria Police say pepper spray was used as officers were forced to intervene to keep rival rallies separated, particularly close to state Parliament House where about 400 turned up for what organisers called the "Australia Unites Against Government Corruption" rallies.
Many were draped in Australian flags.
Rallies were held in other capital cities and locations, with protesters voicing their grievances on issues including cost-of-living pressures and immigration.
In Melbourne, these woman there are range of issues they're concerned about.
Female voxie 1 in Melbourne: "Immigration, homelessness, absolute corruption all the way across. The debt in this country that has been caused by the Labor government. You name it, they've ruined this country.
Female voxie 2 in Melbourne: "The reason why I'm here is I am totally against the 15-minute cities that they're bringing in. And again, the ridiculous taxes. It is taking away... It is a wealth transfer, that is what they're doing at the moment. It's rubbish what's going on. And people need to wake up. They're not conspiracy theories - and it is hitting (us) right now."
Like the anti-immigration rallies a fortnight ago, attendees once again spread misinformation on migration levels, and used the language of hate to target Indian Australians.
Victoria Police says the total number of protesters across all rallies was 2,500.
It says a 29-year-old man was arrested for criminal damage after an alleged graffiti incident.
In Sydney, police estimated total protest numbers across the multiple rallies to be at 3,500.
Thousands were also marching under the Australia Unites slogan, including this protester:
"Because I am Australian and I'm here with my Australian friends, and I want to celebrate this country as it is - with its people and its culture; with a government that can do its job properly. Albo, you're not doing your job properly, mate."
At Sydney's Belmore Park, between 600 and 1,000 people attended rallies for Indigenous Sovereignty and anti-racism.
Rally organiser Dunghutti man Paul Silva says there needs to be action to stop the influence of white supremacy groups and ideas promoting hate.
He says the attack on Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne has been devastating for many Australians.
"Especially after an event that tried to scrutinise mass immigration, what we did see is the group attacked the only people who are not immigrants of this land. So what that shows is a plain and simple and exposure for what that group is really about. And it about spreading hate, division and racism within society. And that is why we have come out here today. To say no room for racism, no room for white supremacy, on our lands, and in society."
New South Wales Police say there were no serious incidents or injuries during the protests.
One man was arrested at Hyde Park for breaching the peace.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the rising tensions need to be dealt with in a way that avoids spilling over into political violence.
"And as the leader of the state, I am going to do everything I can with New South Wales Police that if anyone crosses that line - and their opinion jumps from just an opinion into forcing someone to believe it trying to assault someone because they don't believe it; we're going throw the book at you. If you're going to have a protest, have your protest, have your say. Don't try and assault someone. Political violence has no role or place in Australia. And we need to confront it wherever we see it."
Groups ranging in the hundreds - and also thousands - attended rival rallies in other capital cities.
In Perth, at the Supreme Court Gardens, a minute's silence was held for Charlie Kirk, the US conservative political activist who was fatally shot earlier this week.
A suspect, Tyler Robinson, is being held in a Utah jail and faces charges including aggravated murder, which could result in the death penalty.
Federal Science Minister Tim Ayres says it is disturbing to see political extremism on the rise, and he has urged Australians to be vigilant.
"We saw very disturbing scenes in Australia just a few weeks ago, with rallies that were attended by violent right-wing extremists. We should have no truck (nothing to do) with violent right-wing extremism. And the kind of nasty thugs who engage in these rallies. Of course, there will be Australians who are concerned about - and who have got a right to protest - but I'm deeply concerned about some of the characters who have been involved in, organising and participating, in these rallies. And I think Australians should be very cautious about any engagement with these kind of people."
