Melbourne: Australian police used pepper spray to break up clashes between rightwing nationalists and anti-racism protesters on the streets of Melbourne today as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said eliminating racism was still a "work in progress".
The United Patriots Front (UPF) organised a "Stop the Far Left" rally while anti-racism protesters marched under the banner "Moreland says No to Racism", in reference to a Melbourne district.
Fears of young Australian Muslims being inspired by terrorists such as ISIS and travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria have underpinned support for rightwing groups like UPF and Reclaim Australia.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott made blocking migrants trying to reach Australia by boat a key plank of his victorious election campaign in 2013.
TV footage showed UPF members with Australian flags on poles and their faces covered by bandanas wrestling with leftwing members, many of whom were hooded and had black cloths over their faces.
On one occasion, a UPF protester who fell to the ground was kicked several times by two anti-racism activists.
"I understand the need and the right to protest ... but what we can't have is this violence in our community," Victorian state Police Commander Sharon Cowden told Sky. "We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour, people wearing masks."
ABC said two people were arrested for weapons offences before the trouble flared despite a large police presence.
Two people were arrested for rioting, one for assaulting police, one for hindering police and another for robbery, ABC said.
Turnbull, responding to comments by opposition leader Bill Shorten that racism was rife in Australia, said Australia was not "entirely" blameless.
"But I have to say we are the most successful multicultural society in the world," Turnbull told reporters. "There is more work to do. This is not something to be complacent about. This is a work in progress."
The United Patriots Front (UPF) organised a "Stop the Far Left" rally while anti-racism protesters marched under the banner "Moreland says No to Racism", in reference to a Melbourne district.
Fears of young Australian Muslims being inspired by terrorists such as ISIS and travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria have underpinned support for rightwing groups like UPF and Reclaim Australia.
TV footage showed UPF members with Australian flags on poles and their faces covered by bandanas wrestling with leftwing members, many of whom were hooded and had black cloths over their faces.
Advertisement
"I understand the need and the right to protest ... but what we can't have is this violence in our community," Victorian state Police Commander Sharon Cowden told Sky. "We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour, people wearing masks."
Advertisement
Two people were arrested for rioting, one for assaulting police, one for hindering police and another for robbery, ABC said.
Advertisement
"But I have to say we are the most successful multicultural society in the world," Turnbull told reporters. "There is more work to do. This is not something to be complacent about. This is a work in progress."
© Thomson Reuters 2016
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Australian Teenager Suspended From School For Spraying Milk On Tourists In Viral Stunt Gautam Adani Hosts Ex Australia PM, Says His Vision Is "Truly Inspiring" US Influencer Urges Women To Use Spray Paint Instead Of Pepper Spray For Self-Defence. Here's Why Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming Major Crackdown Launched On Terror Network In J&K After Doda Encounter UK's New Government Vows To Remove 92 Unelected Peers From Upper House EU's Carbon Tax Could Cost India 0.05% Of GDP: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.