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Crowds of opposing protesters have clashed in Melbourne's CBD during nationwide anti-immigration rallies, with police forced to intervene. Riot police gathered in Melbourne on Sunday as anti-racism counter protesters confronted anti-migration March for Australia demonstrators near parliament. Officers fought to keep the two groups separate and deployed capsicum spray and arrested at least one attendee. Efforts to make further arrests were hampered when attendees began to throw missiles at the officers, including eggs and glass containers, the Age reported. Meanwhile, anti-immigration protesters clashed with police on nearby Spring Street, where officers discharged tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. It is the second instalment of the March for Australia rallies, arranged nationwide to protest what organisers refer to as 'mass migration'. An earlier demonstration by the group in August led to a series of brawls and was attended by far-right extremists. Protests and counter-protests have been organised across Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide on Sunday. Police estimated about 5,000 protesters joined the anti-mass immigration rally in Sydney, dramatically fewer than attended the earlier protest in August. Early estimates point to a similar story in Melbourne. Nonetheless, large swathes of Sydney and Melbourne's CBD's have been blocked off, with police maintaining a strong presence in both cities. Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Sydney's CBD, draped in Australian flags and chanting: 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - oi, oi, oi'. A demonstrator was pictured carrying a sign reading: 'Hang Albo' in large font. In smaller font, it adds it should be done so 'lawfully' for alleged breaches of human rights and international law. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's daughter Lee Hanson has presented to a crowd of demonstrators in Hobart, calling for lower migration. 'What I have a problem with is unsustainable immigration levels which we call mass immigration,' Ms Hanson said, according to the ABC. 'The government priority needs to be for those that are living here in this country first and foremost before you bring anyone else in. 'It's not rocket science... Slow [immigration] down and manage it effectively.' Attendees roared in support when Ms Hanson pointed out members of the Labor and Liberal parties were not in attendance. Meanwhile, federal MP Bob Katter was pictured marching alongside thousands protesters in Brisbane. He took aim at Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in an address to gathered reporters, accusing him of working to bring thousands of Palestinians into the country. Last week, Burke told the National Press Club as many as 700 Gazans may arrive in Australia in the future, following estimates nearly 2,000 had arrived as of December 2024. Aerial images captured countless March for Australia protesters crossing Canberra's Commonwealth Bridge towards police and anti-racism demonstrators. More to come.
