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Reclaim Australia rallies: tensions flare in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Reclaim Australia rallies: protesters clash in Melbourne and Sydney
(35 minutes later)
Mounted police were forced to form a barrier between Reclaim Australia and Socialist Alliance protesters at opposing rallies in Melbourne. Hundreds of anti-Islam protesters have clashed with counter-demonstrators at rallies in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Tensions among crowds led to scuffles and paramedics were treating several injured people. Mounted police were forced to separate the two sides in Melbourne despite an announcement by Reclaim Australia organisers on Saturday that the rallies had been cancelled, after the event’s official Twitter account appeared to have been hijacked.
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. Tensions were high among the crowd and scuffles broke out across Federation Square, with paramedics called to treat several injured people.
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”. Around 200 marched on the square, a handful bearing swastika tattoos, others in T-shirts reading, “If you don’t love it, leave”.
They were met by several hundreds protestors carrying signs that read, “No room for racism”, and promoting a variety of other causes.
Dozens of police stood several rows deep to separate the angry crowd but arguments and shoving broke out across the square.
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.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. Earlier, organisers had declared that the event would be postponed after an apparent hacking of the group’s official Twitter account.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that as a committee we have decided to postpone the 2015 Reclaim Australia event until further notice,” the organisers said in a statement.
“We must regroup and redouble our efforts to stop the growing tide of Islamification [sic] of Australia and the threat of Sharia law amongst other concerns. We believe this is best achieved by having town hall meetings that will be announced shortly.”
The statement followed an apparent takeover of the Reclaim Australia Twitter account by someone named Jeremy, who claimed his car has broken down and asked if anybody could lend him $20.
Whats wrong with muslims anyway? I dun get it
After Jeremy declared he was going to smoke cannabis in a park (“peace out”), the account appeared have been reclaimed.
The statement shortly after apologised for his tweets, which it said were “not consistent with out values”.
“The person in charge of the account has had their access removed and will be disciplined appropriately,” it read.
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 countryRelated: 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.”