Australia Day marked by clashing protests
Tens of thousands marched in Invasion Day rallies across the country, with police interrupting clashes between crowds and smaller numbers of anti-immigration protestors.
What we know:
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In Melbourne, more than 500 people attended the March for Australia anti-immigration rally. About two dozen of them clashed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protesters, who were marching as part of the 30,000-strong Invasion Day rally (The Guardian).
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Police in riot gear and mounted police interrupted four altercations between the two groups, involving between two and 10 anti-immigration protesters.
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In Perth, a 31-year-old man has been arrested after a device was thrown into an Invasion Day rally crowd, with police investigating whether it was an explosive (ABC).
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About 300 people gathered for the event at Forrest Place mall in Perth’s CBD around midday, but speeches were cut short when police approached the stage to alert organisers about the potential threat.
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In Brisbane, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed a March for Australia event, taking aim at the Albanese government for what she referred to as “mass migration” (SMH).
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At a March for Australia rally in Sydney, a 31-year-old man was charged with inciting hatred, after making anti-Semitic remarks while speaking (Brisbane Times).
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NSW Police Operation Australia Day Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said the comments were “unequivocally assigned” with neo-Nazi ideology, alleging they “well and truly” breached free speech principles.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the country to be united during an Australia Day citizenship ceremony (Reuters).
