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Police use pepper spray as left and rightwing protesters clash in Melbourne Two arrests as police use pepper spray during clash of protests in Melbourne
(about 2 hours later)
Protesters have been pepper sprayed as left and rightwing groups clashed in Melbourne with riot police deployed to keep them separate. A knife and knuckle duster have been found among demonstrators after left and right wing groups clashed in Melbourne during a rally.
The demonstration attracted hundreds of protesters from the rightwing True Blue Crew as well as anti-racism activists on Sunday. One demonstrator was arrested for carrying a weapon and one detained for breach of peace. Police said they were disappointed about the number of face coverings at Sunday’s protest.
Despite the heavy police presence to ensure the groups remained apart, a small number of demonstrators were pepper sprayed by police after becoming aggressive, police said. The rally attracted hundreds of protesters from the right-wing groups including the True Blue Crew as well as anti-racism activists.
An anti-racism protester was warned by police for yelling at the far-right group. “They’re facists,” he told reporters. “They have always initiated the violence, they are the ones who have carried weapons.” The controversial leader of the United Patriot Front, Blair Cottrell, spoke at the rally and led the march to parliament. Five people were also treated by Ambulance Victoria after being pepper-sprayed by police for breaking through a police cordon.
“We were disappointed that a number of protesters chose to wear facial coverings and question why they felt the need to hide their faces if they weren’t planning to cause trouble,” Victoria police north west metro commander Russell Barrett said.
The commander said despite the “confrontational behaviour” of some protesters, officers were pleased that no members of public or police were injured.
An anti-racism protester was warned by police for yelling at the far-right group. “They’re facists,” he told reporters. “They have always initiated the violence, they are the ones who have carried weapons.”
The controversial leader of the United Patriot Front, Blair Cottrell, spoke at the rally and led the march to parliament.
A rightwing demonstrator defended the march, saying they had the “right to free speech”.A rightwing demonstrator defended the march, saying they had the “right to free speech”.
The march, called the Australian Pride March was organised to combat “anti-Australian agenda to destroy Australia Day, Anzac Day and any remaining Australian pride gaining momentum”, according to its Facebook page.The march, called the Australian Pride March was organised to combat “anti-Australian agenda to destroy Australia Day, Anzac Day and any remaining Australian pride gaining momentum”, according to its Facebook page.