Aussie police clash with rival nationalist, anti-racist protesters
Australian riot police have clashed with rival demonstrators in Melbourne as a protest by dozens of anti-Muslim nationalists was met with hundreds of anti-racist counter-demonstrators.
Police resorted to the use of capsicum spray and horse squads against the crowds on Saturday after hundreds of protesters emerged at the site of a state legislature to oppose a demonstration called by two right-wing radical groups called Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front, state-run BBC reported.
The development came after dozens responded to the nationalists’ call to rally near the state of Victoria’s parliament building against what the claimed as the "spread" of Islam, halal food, and "non-white immigration" to Australia.
Police forces encircled the nationalist protesters in a protective effort after hundreds of anti-racist advocates, carrying banners reading “No Room for Racism,” turned out at the site at a small number of them attempted to break through the police lines to reach the far-right protesters.
Bottles were reportedly thrown and a number of the counter-demonstrators managed to kick or punch the extremist protesters.
Hundreds of policemen then used capsicum spray and horse-mounted officers to force back the crowds, arresting at least four people.
"[Police] were at significant threat of having their lines overrun and it was a tool we had to use at the time," Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane stated to the press.
He further asserted that the message of both sides had been lost by violence against our police members and police horses.
This is while many activists blamed the police force for "brutally attacking anti-racist demonstrators with pepper spray."
More nationalist demonstrations and counter-rallies have been planned across the country for Sunday.
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