Violent clashes at ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies

Protests across Australia organised by group opposed to the ‘Islamisation’ of society

Protesters attend one of 16 ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies. Violent clashes between anti-racism and anti-Islam protesters have been reported at the rallies against the ‘Islamisation’ of Australia. Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters attend one of 16 ‘Reclaim Australia’ rallies. Violent clashes between anti-racism and anti-Islam protesters have been reported at the rallies against the ‘Islamisation’ of Australia. Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters have clashed in rallies across Australia.

The most violent was in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, where police struggled to separate opposing demonstrators.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said the Victoria state ambulance service treated four people, three for minor injuries, from assaults in Melbourne. The fourth was treated for chest pains.

Victoria police spokeswoman Belinda Batty says police arrested two men and a woman in the fracas in Melbourne’s downtown Federation Square.

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Reclaim Australia, a community group, organised rallies in 16 cities and towns around Australia against Islamic extremism, the “Islamisation” of Australian society, Islamic Sharia law and the Halal-certification of most meats sold in Australia.

PA