In Melbourne’s central business district, tensions soared as rival demonstrators faced off during nationwide protests against immigration, compelling police intervention to prevent further chaos.

On Sunday, riot police were deployed in Melbourne when anti-racism activists confronted participants of the anti-immigration March for Australia near the parliament building.

Law enforcement officers worked diligently to maintain a barrier between the two opposing groups, resorting to using capsicum spray and detaining at least one individual. Unfortunately, one officer sustained injuries during the tumult.

Attempts to make additional arrests were thwarted when projectiles, including eggs and glass bottles, were hurled at the police, as reported by The Age.

Concurrently, anti-immigration demonstrators engaged in clashes with police on Spring Street, prompting officers to employ tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets to control the situation.

This event marked the second iteration of the March for Australia rallies, organized across the nation to protest what the organizers describe 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.

A protester is pictured refusing to be searched at the March for Australia rally in Melbourne

A demonstrator is pictured holding a sign reading ‘Hang Albo’, adding it should be done ‘lawfully’ for alleged breaches of human rights in small font 

Protesters have gathered nationwide to oppose ‘mass migration’. Demonstrators are pictured in Sydney, with one holding a sign reading: ‘worst PM in history’

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.

March for Australia demonstrators are pictured marching through Sydney’s CBD 

Demonstrators turned out draped in Aussie flags in Sydney’s Hyde Park

Pictured is a demonstrator carrying a sign with a side-by-side of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Penny Wong reading ‘dumb and dumber’

‘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 hundreds of March for Australia protesters crossing Canberra’s Commonwealth Bridge towards police and anti-racism demonstrators. 

The first March for Australia event in August attracted tens of thousands of people nationwide and prompted warnings from leaders of some migrant communities for members to stay indoors in case of potential violence. 

More to come.