Victoria Police have reported that two officers required hospitalization following confrontations with anti-immigration demonstrators and opposing groups in Melbourne this past Sunday.
The ‘March for Australia’ rally, which advocated against mass immigration, drew hundreds of participants. These protesters encountered both police forces and counter-demonstrators on Bourke Street, necessitating the formation of a police barricade to separate the clashing factions.
According to a statement released by the police on Sunday afternoon, the tumultuous events included the throwing of projectiles.
Witnesses recounted the use of flash bangs by police as a response to some of the protesters, with riot officers attempting to quell the pro-immigration demonstrators and disperse the gathering crowd.
After 1 p.m., the March for Australia participants disengaged from the counter-protesters and continued their demonstration by marching along Spring Street.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, authorities estimated that approximately 5,000 individuals congregated in the city center for a similar anti-immigration rally, which was met with a counter-protest of comparable size.
There were no reports of injuries, clashes or arrests in Sydney, with other protests and counter-protests popping up all over the country on Sunday.
Thousands gathered for an anti-immigration protest in Brisbane, with politician Bob Katter seen amongst the crowd
