Former One Nation leader Pauline Hanson tells crowd ‘criticism is not racism’ as nationwide protests and counterprotests trigger scuffles and police intervention

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Hundreds of anti-Islam protesters have clashed with counterdemonstrators at rallies in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and other sites across the country.



Mounted police were forced to separate the two sides in Melbourne as tensions soared and scuffles broke out across Federation Square, with paramedics called to treat several injured people.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anti-racism protesters chant slogans in opposition to the Reclaim Australia rally on the other side of Melbourne’s Federation Square on Saturday. Photograph: Michael Safi/The Guardian

The group Reclaim Australia is holding nationwide rallies against “sharia law, halal tax and Islamisation”. Around 200 marched on the square, a handful bearing swastika tattoos, others in T-shirts reading: “If you don’t love it, leave”.

They were met by several hundreds protesters carrying signs that read, “No room for racism”, and promoting a variety of other causes.

Dozens of police stood several rows deep to separate the angry crowd but arguments and shoving broke out across the square.

In Sydney, on either end of Martin Place and separated by a wall of police, anti-racist and anti-Islam protesters faced off near the scene of last year’s Lindt cafe siege.



On the lower end were vocal supporters of Reclaim Australia.



Many of the flag-waving crowd, numbering in the hundreds, chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – Oi, Oi, Oi” and were carrying home-made banners denouncing sharia law.



But it was a proposition those at the other end of the plaza labelled absurd. “There is no possibility of sharia law in Australia, that is absolutely ridiculous,” Tony Iltis said.

Bill Shorten condemns violence at Reclaim Australia and counter protests Read more

Iltis was part of a smaller but passionate crowd that slammed Reclaim Australia as racist.

Tensions almost erupted when a woman ran on stage at the Reclaim Australia camp, grabbed the microphone and told the crowd they should be ashamed.

Organisers denied any connection to a Twitter account in the group’s name that appeared to have been hijacked before the rallies. Someone calling himself Jeremy took over the feed and appeared to be confused about the point of the protests.



At one stage he claimed his car had broken down and asked if anybody could lend him $20.

Reclaim Australia (@ReclaimAus) Whats wrong with muslims anyway? I dun get it

After Jeremy declared he was going to smoke cannabis in a park (“peace out”), the account appeared have been reclaimed.

The statement shortly after apologised for his tweets, which it said were “not consistent with out values”.

“The person in charge of the account has had their access removed and will be disciplined appropriately,” it read.

However, a spokeswoman for the group, Catherine Brennan, told Guardian Australia the account was “100% fake”.

“I’m feeling rapt about the rallies, but I think a lot of the media has portrayed us very badly,” she said, adding that future rallies were being planned.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Protesters at a Reclaim Australia Rally at Martin Place in Sydney on Saturday. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Among the Reclaim Australia crowd, many sporting Australiana memorabilia, was Greg and his homemade sign that compared sharia law to paedophilia.



“I’m just standing up for our freedom of speech and way of life,” he said, wearing a green and gold shirt.



Rally organisers deny Reclaim Australia is racist, but say protesters have a problem with Islamic extremists who want to live by sharia law.



The leader of political party One Nation, Pauline Hanson, told a rally against Islam in Brisbane that she was not a racist.

Hanson, who narrowly lost her fight for a seat in the 2015 Queensland election, joined hundreds of protesters in King George Square.

Many were draped in the Australian flag and carried signs denouncing sharia law and halal certification for Australian products.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A Reclaim Australia rally held in King George Square, Brisbane on Saturday. Photograph: JAMIE McKINNELL/AAP

But the rally was not an exercise in racism, Hanson said. “We have people here today who stand against racism. Thank you for your support,” she said. “So do I.”

Hanson said she and her supporters had endured trial by media and those with hidden agendas.

“Let my fellow Australians judge me on what I say. Don’t deny me the right to have our say,” she said. “I am not a racist. Criticism is not racism.”

Hanson said she was merely a proud Australian fighting for the country’s democracy, culture and way of life.

Anti-Islamic group Reclaim Australia plans 16 rallies across the country Read more

Tempers flared as a counter-rally was held opposite the event and at least 30 police officers kept the two groups separate.

“Go home bigots, go home,” members of the counter-rally chanted.

Reclaim Australia speaker David Truman said their opponents were using tired and untrue slogans.

“They hate free speech. They use fascist tactics to try and shut it down,” he said. “I’ve got news for you and for them – we are not racists or supremacists of any kind.”



