An anti-semitic group leader has hit back at neo-Nazi protesters, calling on politicians to condemn the behaviour, as tensions flare between warring groups.
Heated scenes erupted outside state parliament as neo-Nazis and anti-racism protesters clashed over new immigration laws.
The anti-immigration rally, organised on encrypted messaging app Telegram on Friday, began earlier than expected when counter protesters arrived outside Parliament House about 11.30am.
Controversial media identity Avi Yemini attended the protest with his own personal security, who failed to stop him from being “bonked” on the head with a metal pole.
Yemini was also taunted by a group of masked and black-clothing clad protesters, as his personal security interjected.
Counter protesters blamed federal opposition leader Peter Dutton for enticing neo-Nazis.
Omar Hassan, a spokesperson for the organisers of the counter protest, Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, blamed rhetoric in Peter Dutton’s budget reply speech for emboldening the neo-Nazi demonstrators.
“Blaming immigrants is classic diversionary tactics by Dutton and the far right”, he said.
“The truth is that the cost of living crisis has nothing to do with immigration, and everything to do with the bankers, corporations and landlords who’ve been getting rich while the rest of us struggle.”
“Our demonstration outnumbered them thirty to one, proving yet again that racism and fascism is not welcome in Melbourne, from Dutton or these goons.”