PUNCHES were thrown among protesters, pepper spray was used to subdue crowd members and seven people were arrested as anti-Islam and anti-racist protesters clashed during rallies in Melton.

Hundreds of police worked to separate members of the United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia from No Room for Racism activists during a planned rally in the outer western suburb.

Reclaim Australia later held a march from the Melton civic centre to Hannah Watts Park as a ring of police cornered anti-racism protesters.

Sporadic fights broke out between the two protest groups and protesters were treated after being hit with capsicum spray.

A 29-year-old man is expected to be charged on summons after allegedly assaulting a police horse.

media_camera Anti-Islam protesters clash with Rally Against Racism group and police. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Opposing protesters clash. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Anti-Islam protesters clash with Rally Against Racism members. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Protesters clash with mounted police at the Melton rally. Picture: Jason Edwards

Three people were arrested for possessing a weapon, and another three were arrested for riotous behaviour. They are expected to receive a fine.

Tensions also rose between members of anti-Islamic groups, with some calling others “not Australian” for covering their face with Australian flags and other masks.

Rosaline Crestani, a representative of nationalist group Rise Up Australia, addressed right wing Reclaim Australia protesters stating if you’re a racist or a nazi to go home.

“But if you’re a true blue Australian who waves our flag with pride then stay here and rally with us,” Ms Crestani said.

media_camera Protesters come face to face with police at the rally. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Anti-Islam protesters in Melton. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera A anti-racism protester is treated for pepper spray during the rally.. Picture: Mike Keating.

media_camera A Reclaim Australia protester at Melton. Picture: Mike Keating.

media_camera Police divide Anti-Islam protesters and Rally Against Racism protesters in Melton. Picture: Jason Edwards

Anti-Islamic group Reclaim Australia sing the national anthem @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/bbXOWBfPC6 — Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) November 21, 2015

media_camera Reclaim Australia protesters in Melton. Picture: Cassie Zervos

media_camera A protester is arrested in Melton. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Each and every single one of you are a part of history by standing with us today.”

Ms Cretani said it was only two weeks ago when a primary school told students it was OK to walk out during the national anthem.

“Well that’s not fair dinkum and we will not stand for this,” she said.

John Bolton from Reclaim Australia in Adelaide then took the microphone to a attentive crowd where he stressed the Australian culture is better than the Islamic culture.

“I hope their feelings are hurt, I want to hurt their feelings,” Mr Bolton said.

He told the crowd, “let us defend our culture and not allow Islamic beliefs into our land.

“I say no to anymore Islamic immigration.

“We have to stay firm and preserve our culture.. We need to stand up and say Australia culture is pretty good.

“There is a path we will never chose, we will never submit to Islam and we will not allow you to kill us in our street,” he said.

media_camera Mounted police clash with protesters in Melton. Picture: Jason Edwards

media_camera Anti-racism protestors and police clash at the Reclaim Australia Rally in Melton. Picture: Nathan Dyer

media_camera Anti-racism protestors and police clash at the Reclaim Australia Rally in Melton. Picture: Nathan Dyer

Farmer John from UFP then asked the crowd if they wanted extremists in Australia.

“We need a special school in Melton but the government want a mosque and an Islamic school... Well, I don’t stand for that,” he yelled.

“Why don’t we look after our own people before we look at helping Muslims.”

An ex-Islamic man will soon address the crowd.

Earlier right wing groups sang the anthem while anti-racism protesters made chants with a megaphone before ugly skirmishes broke out, seeing police lead two from from separate sides away.

The UPF initially told police it would be joining Reclaim Australia in holding its rally at nearby Hannah Watts Park.An uneasy stand off ensured with both groups trading insults just metres apart and sporadic fighting breaking out.

Many of the more hardline members of the UPF were wearing scarfs to cover their faces.

Shouts of “Aussie Aussie Aussie” by the UPF were drowned out as members of No Room for Racism play John Farnhams The Voice through a loudspeaker.

Melton resident and member of Reclaim Australia Terry Hickey said he doesn’t want to see Islam in his town.

“We don’t want a mosque here, we don’t want an Islamic school. Why don’t the government look after their own people before they look after Muslims and refugees,” he said.

Authorities earlier said they would take a zero-tolerance approach at the anti-Islam gathering in the wake of a weapons scare and flared tensions due to events in Paris.

Right-wing anti-Islam extremist Phillip Galea was found with tasers, precursor chemicals and bomb-making manuals ahead of the rally, and has been jailed.

media_camera A child rides on the shoulders of an anti-Islam protester at the Reclaim Australia rally. Picture: Nathan Dyer

media_camera Protesters from one group surround an opponent. Picture : Mike Keating.

media_camera An anti-racism protester shows his disdain for the media at the Reclaim Australia Rally in Melton. Picture: Nathan Dyer

media_camera Riot police tackle protesters. Picture: Jason Edwards

He now fears reprisal attacks from Muslim inmates, asking a magistrate to pass his concerns to prison guards.

Police now fear similar weapons could be brought by others to today’s protest.

Barriers are set to be put in place to prevent clashes between right wing protesters and rival groups who may confront them with a counter-protest.

The Reclaim Australia website has stated the protest will start at 11am opposite a Melton council building.

MORE TO COME

Originally published as Ugly violence at anti-Islam rally