Neo-Nazi and anti-fascist groups have clashed in Melbourne, with police making several arrests and deploying capsicum spray in a bid to quell the violence.
A group led by the self-proclaimed neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell was expected to meet at state parliament at midday on Saturday for an anti-immigration protest, which an anti-fascist group planned to disrupt by rallying 30 minutes earlier, according to multiple posts on social media.
But Sewell’s group of about 30 men arrived about 10am, and soon after were moved on by police, according to footage posted online.
The two counter-protests largely kept their distance, until police moved the neo-Nazis south along Spring Street about 11.50am.
Soon after, a group of counter-protesters ran across Spring Street from Little Collins Street, evading a police cordon to the north.
Several objects including glass jars were thrown towards Sewell’s group, before other officers arrived, making several arrests and deploying capsicum spray until the groups were separated.
Sewell’s group walked east to Fitzroy Gardens, and police were able to keep the opposing groups separate until about 1.45pm, when Sewell and others dispersed and left the area in cars which had been parked nearby.
Police were unable to immediately confirm how many people were arrested and any possible charges, but Guardian Australia witnessed multiple anti-fascist protesters being taken into custody.
Footage posted on social media also appeared to indicate members of Sewell’s group were arrested earlier in the morning.
The rally occurred less than two months after another group led by Sewell attended an anti-transgender protest outside Parliament House in Melbourne, an incident which led to the state announcing a ban of the Nazi salute and the start of ructions that resulted in the upper house MP Moira Deeming being expelled from the Liberal party.
The ban on the Nazi salute, which the Andrews government has signalled would be included in laws that prevent the display of Nazi symbols, is yet to become law.
Sewell’s group performed the salute multiple times on Saturday, including while surrounded by police and in poses towards media.
A Victoria police spokesperson said there was a heavy police presence across the city.
The public order response team and mounted police branch were among the resources used.
The federal government minister Chris Bowen labelled the rally “unspeakably un-Australian”, calling the neo-Nazis who participated a “fringe of political lunatics who have no place in modern Australia”.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s not on. This is pure and simple racism and neo-Nazism is pure and simple evil.
“It has no place in our country, it needs to be condemned and it is condemned by this government.”
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report.
