Across the nation, thousands of Australians attended anti-immigration protests that the government denounced as “spreading hate” and having ties to the extreme right. March for Australia events were held in Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities across Australia. When marchers encountered counter-demonstrations, there were many skirmishes.
Federal MP Bob Katter and One Nation senator Pauline Hanson were among the opposition MPs who participated in the marches. Right-wing extremism has been on the increase in Australia, which earlier this year made the Nazi salute criminal by a mandatory jail sentence.
The Sydney event drew up to 8,000 participants, according to broadcaster ABC. Hundreds of cops were stationed across the city, according to the police, but “no significant incidents” were reported.
At a separate pro-Palestine event in Melbourne, demonstrators fought with attendees. Thomas Sewell, a well-known neo-Nazi who spoke to audiences from Parliament House’s steps, was one of the speakers. According to local media, police in Adelaide said that crowds were “generally well-behaved” during a protest and counter-demonstration, which drew an estimated 15,000 participants.
Support for conspiracy theorist and self-described “sovereign citizen” Dezi Freeman, who is suspected of killing two police officers on his home earlier this week, was displayed by one protester holding a poster. Now, a massive manhunt is underway for 56-year-old Freeman.
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