UPDATE: Massive protests have paralyzed major Australian cities, with thousands taking to the streets in Melbourne and Sydney today as opposing groups rally under the banner of Australia Unites. This urgent movement responds to escalating issues like the rising cost of living, declining health outcomes, and climate change denial.
Crowds gathered in Melbourne and Sydney, where police deployed extensive measures to prevent clashes between demonstrators. In Melbourne, thousands rallied, expressing their frustrations through slogans such as “We’re not right-wing, we’re just right.” Meanwhile, opposing groups, including Indigenous and Palestinian activists, rallied against racism and fascism, chanting “always was, always will be Aboriginal land” at Flinders Street Station.
Police implemented significant security measures in both cities, with mounted officers and barricades established to maintain order. Developing reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) indicate that police formed long lines to keep demonstrators about 50 meters apart. Authorities also utilized capsicum spray during confrontations, resulting in one man being caught up in the chaos.
Police were granted enhanced powers, allowing them to search for weapons and direct individuals to remove face coverings. In Sydney, the Australia Unites protesters initially planned to march across the Harbour Bridge but adapted their route after police intervened legally. They ultimately rallied in the Central Business District, concluding in Hyde Park with Australian and Eureka flags waving high.
Stuart Bonds, a candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party, shared on social media, “Well done Sydney…no troubles, no dramas. Done and dusted.” However, police reported that a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching the peace, and two individuals received medical treatment, although no serious injuries occurred.
A police spokesperson confirmed, “A police operation has concluded with no significant incidents following multiple planned assemblies in Sydney’s CBD today.” Hundreds of officers were deployed for safety, aiming to protect both participants and local businesses.
As the day progressed, Melbourne remained on high alert, recalling recent violent clashes between anti-immigration protesters and anti-fascism groups in August. The unrest stemmed from a raid on an Indigenous camp in Melbourne by alleged neo-Nazis, prompting heightened tensions.
Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny condemned any violence masked as protest, stating, “Do not ever use the cloak of protest to go out there and cause crime. There is no place for protests that spread harm, that spread hate, that spread fear and violence.”
Rallies also unfolded in other Australian cities, including Hobart, Canberra, and Brisbane, but no similar clashes were reported there. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, a significant 50,000 people attended the March for Humanity rally in Auckland, condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in nearly 65,000 deaths since October 2023.
As the situation develops, authorities will continue to monitor the protests across Australia, emphasizing public safety while allowing citizens to voice their concerns. The rallies today highlight the growing discontent among Australians regarding pressing social issues, making it clear that these demonstrations are far from over.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story evolves.
