March for Australia: Anti-immigration protests set to be held in Australia’s capital cities

Capital cities across Australia are set to see anti-immigration marches and counter protests on Sunday afternoon.

The planned action comes just weeks after the Sydney Harbour Bridge was shuttered by an anti-war march calling for action to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

What are the protests for?

Organisers of the march are calling for an “end to mass migration”, claiming immigration policies have eroded Australia’s unity.

“Our streets have seen growing displays of anti-Australian hatred, foreign conflicts, and disintegrating trust, while mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together,” a website for the rallies states.

Fliers created by organisers have called for protesters to “take our country back” and “defend our culture”.

The event is being promoted by far-right users on social media and much of the rhetoric on the March for Australia site is anti-migrant.

March for Australia has denied links to white supremacists and neo-Nazis however, Thomas Sewell, a self-described neo-Nazi and figurehead of the National Socialist Network told supporters his movement would be publicly speaking at the rally.

“We will be attending in good faith, in uniform and without masks. We have had positive ongoing contact with the event organisers nationwide,” he shared online.

“The even organisers are agreeable for any groups to attend provided they support the stance of ending immigration.”

It is unclear how many people will attend the rallies, however Facebook events for Melbourne and Sydney have less than 1500 confirmed attendees each.

Where will they be held?

Protests have been listed online to begin from 12pm in capital cities and regional locations including;

Melbourne: Flinders Street Station

Sydney: Belmore Park in Haymarket

Brisbane: Roma St Parklands

Adelaide: Rundle Park

Canberra: Captain Cook Memorial

Perth: Supreme Court Gardens

Hobart: Salamanca Lawns

Darwin: Civic CentreCounter protests are expected in many of these cities.

What has the reaction been?

The Albanese government has been critical of the planned protests, saying Australia’s multiculturalism was a key part of our national identity.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the March For Australia was un-Australian.

“There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion,” he said.

“We stand with modern Australia against these rallies – nothing could be less Australian.”

In a statement on Saturday evening, Opposition leader Sussan Ley called for the protests to be peaceful and respectful.

In Australia, we protect the right to an opinion and the right to protest. But that must be done peacefully and respectfully. There is no place for violence, racism or intimidation,” she said.

“Whether incited from afar or stirred up here, we cannot let hatred and fear tear at our social cohesion.”

Opposition leader Sussan Ley calls for a calm and respectful demonstration

Some politicians, including Queensland MP Bob Katter and Senator Pauline Hanson, have backed the march.

Police around the country say they are aware of the protests and will deploy officers to ensure safety.

NSW Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Paul McKenna said the force had “worked very closely with the organisers”.

“They assure us that they want to do things right, that they’re not coming to the city to cause problems or other anti-social behaviours,” he said.

ACT Police said there was “no intelligence” to suggest there would be intentional acts of violence or criminal damage.

“While the possible scale of the protests are unknown at this time, we will continue to monitor all available information and will respond appropriately,” ACT Policing said on Friday.