One protester has been charged with assaulting police and discharging a missile while another allegedly stole an officer’s body-worn camera during the violent rally outside state parliament.
Two men involved in Saturday’s chaotic clash between neo-Nazis and anti-racism protesters in Melbourne’s CBD have been charged.
A Doreen man, 30, who was pepper-sprayed as police attempted to break up the violence on Saturday afternoon, was charged with theft, attempted theft, assaulting police and resisting police.
The protester, who allegedly stole a body-worn camera from police, was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 June.
A 20-year-old Werribee man was also charged on Sunday with assaulting police and discharging a missile during the heated rally outside state parliament.
He is expected to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court at a later date.
Victoria Police condemned the appalling behaviour of protesters who faced off at CBD rally, declaring “hate and prejudice has no place in our society”.
Heated scenes erupted outside state parliament as neo-Nazis and anti-racism protesters clashed over new immigration laws.
“Like the community, police were appalled at the acts displayed in Melbourne today,” the statement read.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community regardless of who they are.
“We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable. Hate and prejudice has no place in our society.”
Read the article by Kaitlyn Smith, Will Keech, Brianna Travers and Carly Douglas in the Herald Sun.