Tensions have flared between far-right groups and anti-racism protesters in heated scenes in Melbourne.
One man was arrested and several scuffles broke out in the city’s CBD as the two groups went head to head.
As the protesters marched they were flanked by a huge number of riot police who attempted to cordoned off the groups.
A rally goer is seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
The True Blue Crew is a ‘pro-Australian’ far-right group that campaigns against accepting refugees and wants to stop Islamisation
Minor scuffles have broken out at a rally in Melbourne’s CBD where anti-racism supporters easily outnumbered the flag-waving far-right campaigners
A massive number of riot police and mounted officers ensured the Aussie Pride Flag March, organised by right wing group True Blue Crew, did not get out of control on Sunday
Mounted officers were also on hand to ensure the Aussie Pride Flag March, organised by right wing group True Blue Crew, did not get out of control.
About 70 people marched with the far-right group, chanting ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ as they walked through Carlton Gardens with their Australian flags aloft. They also sang the national anthem.
According to the Facebook description the event is a: ‘Day for proud Australians of all different backgrounds and walks of life to come together in a show of pride to our country, our flag and the Australian way of life.’
‘Lets show everyone that the true blue spirit and Aussie Pride is still alive and well in all of us. Bring ya friends and family, ya Aussie Flags and your AUSSIE PRIDE.’
It is the first ‘Aussie Pride Flag March’ the group have organised but they have intentions of making it an annual event.
The group was led by known Neo-nazi and far-fight activist Blair Cottrell who once called for a picture of Adolf Hitler to be placed in every classroom across Australia.
A rally goer is seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
Left wing counter protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew’s Aussie Pride March in Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018.(AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING
A right wing protester is seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING
But there were more than 150 people in an opposing gathering of the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, and their collective voices were louder
Chants of ‘Unite to fight the right!’ and ‘No Nazis!’ were also bellowed out by the anti-racism group
The far right activist told 9News that he wasn’t concerned about the anti-racism protesters because: ‘They can’t summon as much violence as I can.’
Opposing the True Blue Crew was more than 150 people from Campaign Against Racism and Fascism.
‘When Muslims are under attack, what do we do?’ campaign organiser Simon Burns yelled into a megaphone.
‘Stand up! Fight back!’ the group shouted in reply.
Chants of ‘Unite to fight the right!’ and ‘No Nazis!’ were also bellowed out by the anti-racism group.
The opposing groups marched separately through the CBD and met together outside Parliament House
Rally goers are seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
Blair Cottrell address the far-right crowd at the rally
Police search members of the True Blue Crew before the True Blue Crew Aussie pride march
Right wing protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March
Earlier, police officers searched protesters for weapons using metal detectors and some minor face-to-face clashes erupted at the gardens.
The opposing groups marched separately through the CBD and met together outside Parliament House.
But they were separated by large barricades that had been set up in advance and police kept the groups apart.
Hundreds of riot police patrolled the rally wearing protective guards on their arms and legs and batons on their hips.
United Patriots Front (UPF) leader Blair Cottrell speaks during during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March
Right wing protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING
Protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Author and Speaker Riccardo Bosi is seen delivering a speech to protesters during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Self-Described nationalist, Thomas Hopper, is seen delivering a speech to protesters during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Protesters are seen outside the NSW Parliament during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
True Blue Crew are believed to be an ad-hoc group and were joined by members of other far right groups including the Soldiers of Oden and the Lads.
They are self proclaimed ‘patriots’ against the ‘Islamisation of Australia’ and the ‘left wing’ amongst other things
Cottrell, who led them in chants as they marched, has been instrumental in drumming up support for far right groups across Victoria in the last few years.
Protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Protesters are seen during the True Blue Crew Aussie Pride March in Sydney, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Danny Casey) NO ARCHIVING
Officers on horseback trotted around and heavily-armed Critical Incident Response Teams were also deployed to keep order
Police search members of the True Blue Crew before the True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
After the rally he was filmed by a supporter breaking up a street performance and calling the entertainer a ‘paedophile.’
In the video, which was uploaded to a far-right Facebook page, he can be seen with his supports walking up to the entertainer, who is wearing a pink lycra shorts and performing in Federation Square.
‘There’s kids watching ya, you’re not welcome here, there are kids here – what are you doing?’ he asks the performer as he backs away form him.
Police search members of the True Blue Crew before the True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
A rally goer is seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
‘Are you a paedophile? Are you a paedophile? get out of here!’ asks Cottrell as the the entertainer starts yelling for police.
A mother from the crowd approaches Cottrell and asks him to leave before the entertainers returns with some officers who ask him and his supporters to back off.
One of Cottrell’s supports asks an officer if he ‘thinks it disgusting’ to which the officer is filmed smiling in response.
After yelling at the entertainer a few more times Cottrell’s group is eventually herded off.
The disturbance was a bizarre end to a day rife with tension as Melbourne’s warring factions once again hit the streets.
Rally goers are seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
Rally goers are seen during a True Blue Crew Aussie pride march from the Exhibition Buildings to Parliament House, Melbourne, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Ellen Smith) NO ARCHIVING
Aussie Pride marches were also held in Sydney and Perth on Sunday
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