 "Australia: Massive anti-immigration protests erupt across cities, govt slam ‘neo-Nazi’ campaign")
Australia’s government on Sunday condemned an anti-immigration rally in Sydney, saying it was linked to neo-Nazi groups and accused organisers of spreading hate and division instead of promoting social harmony.
Thousands of Australians took part in anti-immigration rallies on Sunday, which the centre-left government denounced as divisive events linked to neo-Nazi groups.
Organised under the banner of March for Australia, the demonstrations were staged in Sydney as well as in other state capitals and regional cities, according to the group’s website.
“Mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together,” the website states, adding in a post on X that the rallies sought to do “what the mainstream politicians never have the courage to do: demand an end to mass immigration.”
Australia has condemned an anti-immigration rally, warning that it was linked to neo-Nazi groups and aimed at spreading hate rather than fostering social harmony.
“We absolutely condemn the March For Australia Rally that’s going on today. It is not about increasing social harmony,” Labor minister Murray Watt told Sky News. “We don’t support rallies like this that are about spreading hate and that are about dividing our community,” he said, stressing that the events were “organised and promoted” by neo-Nazi groups.
The March For Australia rally in Sydney, which drew between 5,000 and 8,000 participants according to the ABC, was among several demonstrations planned nationwide. The organisers, who describe mass migration as tearing at Australia’s social fabric, said the rallies were meant to “demand an end to mass immigration.” They did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the neo-Nazi claims.
A counter-protest organised by the Refugee Action Coalition took place nearby, with organisers saying hundreds turned out to oppose the march. “Our event shows the depth of disgust and anger about the far-right agenda of March For Australia,” the coalition said in a statement.
Similar rallies were staged in Melbourne, where aerial footage showed large crowds, while veteran lawmaker Bob Katter faced backlash after threatening a reporter when asked about his attendance at one of the marches.
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