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Police use capsicum spray as opposing groups clash at Reclaim Australia rally Reclaim Australia supporters and counter-protesters clash amid violent scenes
(about 4 hours later)
Reclaim Australia protesters have clashed with anti-racism groups and police have used capsicum spray at opposing rallies in Melbourne. Angry protesters have burnt placards and exchanged abuse in clashes between Reclaim Australia and anti-racism rallies in Melbourne.
The steps and roads around state parliament have been blocked and police lines are dividing groups, including the Coalition Against Racism and Fascism and the right-wing Reclaim Australia.
Related: Hell will freeze over before I pull out of Reclaim Australia's rally | George ChristensenRelated: Hell will freeze over before I pull out of Reclaim Australia's rally | George Christensen
Police have been forced to use capsicum spray to quell crowds and break up tense encounters between the various groups, with anti-racism protesters labelling the others fascists and Nazis. At least four people have been arrested and dozens sprayed with capsicum spray, which was widely deployed during the four-hour protests on Saturday.
At one stage, anti-racism groups got around police lines, clashing physically with a Reclaim Australia supporter. Hundreds of police blocked streets in front of Parliament House, separating the opposing groups.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there had been only “minor violence” and the situation appeared under control. Small groups of protesters from Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front were outnumbered by anti-racism protesters representing Rally Against Racism and United Against Islamophobia.
Reclaim Australia protesters have been seen carrying signs saying “patriotism is not racism” and “stop non-white immigration”. Police say organisers were pulled aside and warned their behaviour was close to crossing the line into inciting hatred, a criminal offence.
Their numbers are set to swell on Saturday afternoon as they are joined by members of a splinter group, the United Patriots Front. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said a small number of hardline protesters had gone along with the intention of using violence against each other and police. “I think the message of the day from either side has been lost and I think they need to sit back and think about that,” he said.
Rallies are also planned by United Against Islamophobia and Rally Against Racism groups. Both the government and opposition condemned the violent scenes.
Shermon Burgess, a reputed member of the Australian Defence League who runs the Great Aussie Patriot website, said the Muslim community had to “clean its mosques” and stop radicalisation.
Related: Reclaim Australia rallies 'hurtful' to new migrants and refugeesRelated: Reclaim Australia rallies 'hurtful' to new migrants and refugees
Coalition Against Racism and Fascism spokeswoman Vashti Kenway said anti-racism groups were mobilising to send a message their rivals’ views were not acceptable. “We do not want a White Australia policy, we want a safe Australia policy,” he said.
“The clear message is that Melburnians aren’t going to stand for the kind of far right racist, sexist, homophobic attitudes that have really been embodied in both the United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia, and that we’re prepared to take a stand in the city, that we’re prepared to say Melbourne is not the place for those kinds of attitudes,” she said. Other Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front protesters said halal certification was a stepping stone to allowing sharia law in Australia.
Kenway accused police of overreacting and creating unwarranted hype around the demonstrations but said the protest would continue despite the heavy security. Coalition Against Racism and Fascism spokeswoman Vashti Kenway said anti-racism groups had mobilised to send a message their rivals’ views are not accepted.
Victoria Greens acting leader Nina Springle said state and federal leaders should condemn Reclaim Australia and reject fear-mongering. “The clear message is that Melburnians aren’t going to stand for the kind of far-right racist, sexist, homophobic attitudes that have really been embodied in both the United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia, and we’re prepared to take a stand in the city, that we’re prepared to say Melbourne is not the place for those kind of attitudes,” she said.
“The so-called Reclaim Australia movement should be called out for what it is: a small but organised group of people stirring up racist fears about Muslims in Australia,” she said. The deputy premier of Victoria, James Merlino, said the community did not like seeing ugly scenes like those witnessed in Melbourne.
“It’s regrettable that there’s a fringe element that wants to undermine this multicultural harmony.” “Our diversity is one of our state’s greatest strengths ... it’s up to all of us to protect our diversity, celebrate it, send a message to those very small number of people that the spreading of hatred, the spreading of bigotry, is simply not tolerated,” he said.
Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said it was disappointing the government had repealed Victoria Police’s move-on powers, which could have helped defuse volatile situations.
Victorian Greens acting leader Nina Springle said it was regrettable there was a fringe element that wanted to undermine multicultural harmony.
Ambulance Victoria said several people were treated for breathing difficulties after being sprayed with capsicum spray, including a man in his 50s who was taken to hospital.