Massive Anti-Immigration Rallies Sweep Across Australia, Linked to Neo-Nazis; Government Condemns Spread of Hate
Anti-immigration protests, organized by the March for Australia group, occurred across multiple Australian cities on Sunday. The center-left government denounced these rallies, stating they aimed to propagate hatred and were linked to neo-Nazi groups.
The protests took place in Sydney, various state capitals, and regional centers as per information on the group’s website. The group declared that their objective was to demand an end to mass immigration, a statement made on their site.
Australia, a nation where approximately half of its population is either foreign-born or has at least one parent born abroad, has been confronting a surge in right-wing extremism, including protests by neo-Nazis.
Senior minister Murray Watt from the Labor government condemned the Sydney rally on Sky News television, stating that it was not intended to promote social harmony. He further asserted that the rallies were “organized and promoted” by neo-Nazi groups, without providing immediate comment from the organizers.
Approximately 5,000 to 8,000 individuals, many waving Australian flags, gathered for the Sydney rally. The event took place near the route of the Sydney Marathon, where approximately 35,000 runners participated on Sunday, concluding at the city’s Opera House.
A counter-rally by the Refugee Action Coalition, a community activist organization, also occurred nearby. A coalition spokesperson stated that their event showcased “the depth of disgust and anger about the far-right agenda of March For Australia.” Hundreds were reported to have attended this counter-rally.
A significant rally by March for Australia was held in central Melbourne, the capital of Victoria state, according to aerial footage from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The ABC also reported that riot officers used pepper spray on demonstrators. Victoria Police has not yet confirmed these reports but promised to disclose details about the protest later on Sunday.
Bob Katter, leader of a small populist party, was present at a March for Australia rally in Queensland, according to a party spokesperson. This appearance comes three days after Katter threatened a reporter for bringing up his Lebanese heritage during a press conference when the topic of his attendance at a March for Australia was being discussed.
In Sydney, protester Glenn Allchin expressed a desire for a “slowdown” in immigration. He explained that it stemmed from concerns about overpopulation and its impact on housing, hospitals, roads, and waiting times.
This year, laws prohibiting the Nazi salute and the display or sale of symbols associated with terror groups came into effect in Australia following a series of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars since October 2023 in Israel’s war in Gaza.