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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/04/pauline-hanson-tells-reclaim-australia-groups-rally-criticism-is-not-racism
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| Reclaim Australia rallies: tensions flare in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane | Reclaim Australia rallies: tensions flare in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Mounted police were forced to form a barrier between Reclaim Australia and Socialist Alliance protesters at opposing rallies in Melbourne. | Mounted police were forced to form a barrier between Reclaim Australia and Socialist Alliance protesters at opposing rallies in Melbourne. |
| Tensions among crowds led to scuffles and paramedics were treating several injured people. | Tensions among crowds led to scuffles and paramedics were treating several injured people. |
| Both sides were increasing in numbers on Saturday afternoon, forcing police to stand several rows deep in order to prevent further violence between the angry crowds. | Both sides were increasing in numbers on Saturday afternoon, forcing police to stand several rows deep in order to prevent further violence between the angry crowds. |
| The group Reclaim Australia is holding nationwide rallies against “sharia law, halal tax and Islamisation”. | The group Reclaim Australia is holding nationwide rallies against “sharia law, halal tax and Islamisation”. |
| In Sydney, on either end of Martin Place and separated by a wall of police, anti-racist and anti-Islam protesters faced off near the scene of last year’s Lindt cafe siege. | |
| On the lower end were vocal supporters of Reclaim Australia. | On the lower end were vocal supporters of Reclaim Australia. |
| Many of the flag-waving crowd, numbering in the hundreds, chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi” and were carrying home-made banners denouncing sharia law. | Many of the flag-waving crowd, numbering in the hundreds, chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi” and were carrying home-made banners denouncing sharia law. |
| But it was a proposition those at the other end of the plaza labelled absurd. “There is no possibility of sharia law in Australia, that is absolutely ridiculous,” Tony Iltis said. | But it was a proposition those at the other end of the plaza labelled absurd. “There is no possibility of sharia law in Australia, that is absolutely ridiculous,” Tony Iltis said. |
| Iltis was part of a smaller but passionate crowd that slammed Reclaim Australia as racist. | Iltis was part of a smaller but passionate crowd that slammed Reclaim Australia as racist. |
| Tensions almost erupted when a woman ran on stage at the Reclaim Australia camp, grabbed the microphone and told the crowd they should be ashamed. | Tensions almost erupted when a woman ran on stage at the Reclaim Australia camp, grabbed the microphone and told the crowd they should be ashamed. |
| Riot police were quick to respond and quell any clashes. | Riot police were quick to respond and quell any clashes. |
| Among the Reclaim Australia crowd, many sporting Australiana memorabilia, was Greg and his homemade sign that compared sharia law to paedophilia. | Among the Reclaim Australia crowd, many sporting Australiana memorabilia, was Greg and his homemade sign that compared sharia law to paedophilia. |
| “I’m just standing up for our freedom of speech and way of life,” he said, wearing a green and gold shirt. | “I’m just standing up for our freedom of speech and way of life,” he said, wearing a green and gold shirt. |
| Rally organisers deny Reclaim Australia is racist, but say protesters have a problem with Islamic extremists who want to live by sharia law. | Rally organisers deny Reclaim Australia is racist, but say protesters have a problem with Islamic extremists who want to live by sharia law. |
| The leader of political party One Nation, Pauline Hanson, told a rally against Islam in Brisbane that she was not a racist. | The leader of political party One Nation, Pauline Hanson, told a rally against Islam in Brisbane that she was not a racist. |
| Hanson, who narrowly lost her fight for a seat in the 2015 Queensland election, joined hundreds of protesters in King George Square. | Hanson, who narrowly lost her fight for a seat in the 2015 Queensland election, joined hundreds of protesters in King George Square. |
| Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products. | Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products. |
| But the rally was not an exercise in racism, Hanson said. “We have people here today who stand against racism. Thank you for your support,” she said. “So do I.” | But the rally was not an exercise in racism, Hanson said. “We have people here today who stand against racism. Thank you for your support,” she said. “So do I.” |
| Hanson said she and her supporters had endured trial by media and those with hidden agendas. | Hanson said she and her supporters had endured trial by media and those with hidden agendas. |
| “Let my fellow Australians judge me on what I say. Don’t deny me the right to have our say,” she said. “I am not a racist. Criticism is not racism.” | “Let my fellow Australians judge me on what I say. Don’t deny me the right to have our say,” she said. “I am not a racist. Criticism is not racism.” |
| Hanson said she was merely a proud Australian fighting for the country’s democracy, culture and way of life. | Hanson said she was merely a proud Australian fighting for the country’s democracy, culture and way of life. |
| Related: Anti-Islamic group Reclaim Australia plans 16 rallies across the country | Related: Anti-Islamic group Reclaim Australia plans 16 rallies across the country |
| Tempers flared as a counter-rally was held opposite the event and at least 30 police officers kept the two groups separate. | Tempers flared as a counter-rally was held opposite the event and at least 30 police officers kept the two groups separate. |
| “Go home bigots, go home,” members of the counter-rally chanted. | “Go home bigots, go home,” members of the counter-rally chanted. |
| Reclaim Australia speaker David Truman said their opponents were using tired and untrue slogans. | Reclaim Australia speaker David Truman said their opponents were using tired and untrue slogans. |
| “They hate free speech. They use fascist tactics to try and shut it down,” he said. “I’ve got news for you and for them – we are not racists or supremacists of any kind.” | “They hate free speech. They use fascist tactics to try and shut it down,” he said. “I’ve got news for you and for them – we are not racists or supremacists of any kind.” |