A neo-Nazi march through Melbourne’s CBD this weekend has sparked outrage, with Premier Jacinta Allan condemning the “goons” behind the demonstration.
Around 100 people, dressed in black with face coverings, marched through the streets early on Saturday morning, making their way down Bourke Street before eventually dispersing at Flagstaff Gardens.
Police responded to the “pop-up protest” at about 12.40am on Saturday, with footage showing masked individuals parading in unison, waving Australian flags, and chanting in the early hours of the morning. The group was led by a faction carrying a banner, with others playing drums and cymbals.
Jacinta Allan said: “Nazis don’t belong in this country and they know it. That’s why they hide behind masks in the dark.” She also thanked police for maintaining public order and stressed the need for stronger powers to handle such protests.
“I thank police who maintained the public order. It’s clear they need more powers, and we’re giving it to them. Our criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month. We will introduce powers for police to unmask cowards at protests after that. We’re not afraid of these goons – but we won’t tolerate them either.”
An altercation occurred during the protest when a 26-year-old man confronted the group and was allegedly assaulted. Police say the man, who had no fixed address, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
No arrests were made during the march, though police maintained a strong presence to ensure community safety.
This neo-Nazi march comes on the heels of a string of racist incidents across Melbourne in recent months, including a disturbing incident at Northland Shopping Centre where a group of individuals were seen harassing a Muslim woman.
The rise in antisemitic rhetoric, including incidents targeting Jewish people and communities, has also become a growing concern. These incidents reflect a wider, troubling trend of hate-driven actions in the city, adding further urgency to calls for stronger legislation and more robust law enforcement responses to curb extremism.
Victoria Police issued a statement affirming the right to protest while denouncing hate-driven actions. “Victoria police respects the right to protest. However, there is absolutely no place for antisemitic, racist or hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity.”
Later on Saturday, police were called to Bacchus Marsh train station to monitor a second planned event and a counterprotest. No assaults or arrests occurred at this gathering, and police responded accordingly to maintain peace.
In 2022, Victoria passed laws banning the public display of Nazi symbols, and in 2023, further legislation was introduced to prohibit the Nazi salute, with penalties for violations.
This disturbing march serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against extremism in Australia. The state government has vowed to take further steps to combat hate-driven protests, with stronger laws and greater police powers set to come into effect soon.
