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Police on alert as Reclaim Australia and anti-racism protesters face off in Sydney Three arrested as Reclaim Australia and anti-racism protesters face off in Sydney
(about 1 hour later)
Police formed a line in front of the anti-racism protesters and stationed several units of mounted officers around Martin Place on Sunday when protesters from two groups who clashed violently in Melbourne on Saturday rallied in Sydney. Three people have been arrested at a rally by the anti-Islam Reclaim Australia group in central Sydney.
Banners reading “stand with multiculturalism against racism” and “no racism, no Islamophbia” were held high in the cool morning air. A man has been arrested for offensive behaviour and another for breaching the peace, while a woman has been taken into custody for assaulting police, a police spokeswoman said.
It is believed the woman, who was the first arrested, was among anti-racism protesters who turned up to protest against Reclaim Australia.
One person has been treated for minor injuries but no one has been seriously hurt, a paramedic said.
Earlier in the morning police formed a line in front of the anti-racism protesters and stationed several units of mounted officers around Martin Place. Banners reading “stand with multiculturalism against racism” and “no racism, no Islamophbia” were held high.
Related: Reclaim Australia supporters and counter-protesters clash amid violent scenesRelated: Reclaim Australia supporters and counter-protesters clash amid violent scenes
Three people in ancient Greek-like military costumes, including helmets and shields, and four men with Australia flags draped on their shoulders were among about 50 people apparently gathered for the Reclaim Australia protest.Three people in ancient Greek-like military costumes, including helmets and shields, and four men with Australia flags draped on their shoulders were among about 50 people apparently gathered for the Reclaim Australia protest.
Police patrolled a “sterile” or buffer zone running across two city blocks in order to prevent direct clashes with the anti-racist protesters.Police patrolled a “sterile” or buffer zone running across two city blocks in order to prevent direct clashes with the anti-racist protesters.
The groups were several hundred metres apart mid-morning but chants from the bigger anti-racist cohort were loudest.The groups were several hundred metres apart mid-morning but chants from the bigger anti-racist cohort were loudest.
At least four people were arrested and dozens hit with capsicum spray when small groups of protesters from Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front were outnumbered by anti-racism protesters in Melbourne on Saturday. On Saturday at least four people were arrested and dozens hit with capsicum spray when small groups of protesters from Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front were outnumbered by anti-racism protesters in Melbourne.
Similar demonstrations were planned for Martin Place in Sydney on Sunday and police warned those who plan to attend that criminal, anti-social or dangerous behaviour won’t be tolerated. On Sunday morning police warned those who planned to attend the Sydney rally that criminal, anti-social or dangerous behaviour would not be tolerated.
“If you choose to do the wrong thing, you’ll be removed and dealt with appropriately,” Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke said. “The same goes for anyone who attempts to cause disharmony or incite conflict with those who may hold opposing views.”“If you choose to do the wrong thing, you’ll be removed and dealt with appropriately,” Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke said. “The same goes for anyone who attempts to cause disharmony or incite conflict with those who may hold opposing views.”
Additional officers were set to be deployed in the city and police have said they “will have sufficient resources available to cope with any eventuality”.
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
The first protest was scheduled to begin at 10am in Martin Place between Macquarie and Phillip Streets with a counter-demonstration due to start half an hour later. The first protest began at 10am in Martin Place between Macquarie and Phillip Streets with a counter-demonstration starting half an hour later.
There were no plans to close roads but drivers should be careful, police said. “Police will respond swiftly to violent or disruptive behaviour or any action that poses a threat to community safety,” Clarke said. There were no plans to close roads but drivers should be careful, police said.
Hundreds were expected to flock to Martin Place to protest against bigotry, xenophobia and Islamophobia. Reclaim Australia called supporters to gather in Sydney for what organisers have described as “a public response to the shock of recent atrocities of ‘Islam’s radicals’ both inside and outside of Australia”.
Reclaim Australia called supporters to gather in the same city street a short time later, for what organisers have described as “a public response to the shock of recent atrocities of ‘Islam’s radicals’ both inside and outside of Australia”. Opposing rallies were also planned for other cities including Mackay in Queensland, where federal government MP George Christensen and Pauline Hanson were among Reclaim Australia’s scheduled speakers, Bribane, Canberra, Hobart and Perth.
Opposing rallies were also planned for other cities including Mackay in Queensland, where federal government MP George Christensen and Pauline Hanson were among Reclaim Australia’s scheduled speakers, Canberra, Hobart and Perth.
Queensland police said they will be out in force at the Sunday rallies. “The [Queensland police service] acknowledges the rights of citizens to voice their opinions, however will be seeking to balance this right with public safety concerns associated with large groups of people occupying public space,” a police spokeswoman said.Queensland police said they will be out in force at the Sunday rallies. “The [Queensland police service] acknowledges the rights of citizens to voice their opinions, however will be seeking to balance this right with public safety concerns associated with large groups of people occupying public space,” a police spokeswoman said.
One Nation founder Pauline Hanson addressed the Reclaim Australia rally in Rockhampton at 10am. On Sunday morning police separated anti-Islam and anti-racist protesters at a Reclaim Australia rally in Brisbane. Police tape was rolled out to divide the two groups of protesters.
Federal government MP George Christensen will attend the Mackay rally despite opposition criticism. Anti-racism protesters chanted loudly to try and drown out the speakers at the Reclaim Australia rally, held in a park in Brisbane’s CBD.
One Nation founder Pauline Hanson was due to address the Reclaim Australia rally in Rockhampton.
Federal government MP George Christensen was due attend the Mackay rally despite opposition criticism.
The opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, has said it’s “extraordinary” that Tony Abbott is allowing MPs to attend “racist” rallies while inflicting a boycott on the ABC’s Q&A program.The opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, has said it’s “extraordinary” that Tony Abbott is allowing MPs to attend “racist” rallies while inflicting a boycott on the ABC’s Q&A program.
Christensen disputes the racist label. “Labor has declared that Mackay residents attending the Reclaim Australia rally against extreme Islam are racists,” Christensen wrote on Facebook on Sunday. “They can say what they like about me but I take offence at this defamation on behalf of my constituents who will be attending this rally, some of whom are life-long Labor voters.”Christensen disputes the racist label. “Labor has declared that Mackay residents attending the Reclaim Australia rally against extreme Islam are racists,” Christensen wrote on Facebook on Sunday. “They can say what they like about me but I take offence at this defamation on behalf of my constituents who will be attending this rally, some of whom are life-long Labor voters.”