In Melbourne, a confrontation between anti-immigration demonstrators and opposing factions resulted in two Victoria Police officers being hospitalized, authorities disclosed on Sunday.
The incident unfolded during a ‘March for Australia’ rally, where hundreds of participants advocating against mass immigration were met by counter-protesters. Police intervened, establishing a barricade on Bourke Street to separate the two sides.
According to an official statement from Victoria Police released on Sunday afternoon, the situation escalated to the point where projectiles were launched at law enforcement personnel.
“Officers were targeted with rocks, glass bottles, and fruit while they endeavored to safeguard both the protesters and the larger community in the area,” the statement detailed.
As a result of the altercation, a female sergeant was hospitalized with a suspected broken hand, while a male constable suffered a cut to his lower leg. Fortunately, neither officer’s injuries are considered life-threatening.
One person was arrested, and police say they are searching for more offenders.
“We make no apologies for officers having to use force to separate and safely disperse crowds during protests where police have been presented with an extremely volatile and violent environment,” Victoria Police Commander of the North West Metro region Wayne Cheeseman said.
“Police do not attend protests with the aim of using force, but it is always in response to the actions of protestors whether it be violence between different groups, or towards officers,” Cheeseman claimed.
Flash bangs used by the police against some protesters were heard, with witnesses claiming riot police worked to push back the pro-immigration protests and disperse the crowd.
The March for Australia protesters eventually walked away from the counter-protesters after 1pm and marched along Spring St.
In Sydney, police estimated around 5000 people gathered in the CBD for an anti-immigration protest, but a counter-protest of a similar size was also mounted.
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
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