- Men wearing neo-Nazi symbols crashed Melbourne Reclaim Australia rally
- Reclaim Australia believes country should stand up against ‘Islamisation’
- Anti-racism group were also in attendance to counter-protest against Reclaim Australia
- The neo-Nazis, some with swastika tattoos, attempted to intimidate anti-racism protester
- Photographer captured the moment a brave man stood up to the neo-Nazi
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Liam Quinn For Daily Mail Australia
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Striking images have captured the moment men bearing neo-Nazi symbols clashed with anti-racism protesters at a rally last weekend.
The Melbourne protest at Federation Square was organised by Reclaim Australia protesters, who claim to be standing up against the ‘Islamisation’ of Australia.
Despite Reclaim Australia’s promise of a peaceful protest, a number of men with shaved heads and tattoos of the swastika appeared at the event and attempted to intimidate anti-racism protesters.
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A number of men with shaved heads and tattoos of the swastika (left) appeared at the event and attempted to start a fight with anti-racism protesters (right)
Reclaim Australia describe themselves as ‘patriotic Australians’ who protest against Sharia Law, Halal tax and Islam.
They say they want ‘compulsory singing of our national anthem weekly in every school in Australia’ and want the government to ‘refuse entry to anyone who has fought overseas against our ADF or minimum 15 years jail term.’
In these photos, taken by freelance photographer Kenji Wardenclyffe, a man with a swastika tattoo came head to head with one of the anti-racism protesters and attempted to intimidate them into backing off.
Wearing a Harley Davidson sleeveless hoodie, which showed off his sleeve of tattoos, the bald man attempted to start a fight with the protesters against racism, who stood against him in defiance
Police were forced to separate the neo-Nazis and opposing protesters by forming a wall at separate rallies across the country
Wearing a Harley Davidson sleeveless hoodie, which showed off his sleeve of tattoos, the bald man attempted to start a fight with the protesters against racism, who stood against him in defiance.
Police were forced to separate supporters and opposing protesters by forming a wall at separate rallies across the country.
Crowd numbers continued to grow throughout the afternoon, and some protesters had to be treated by paramedics after the ugly clashes.
Speaking to Buzzfeed, photographer Mr Wardenclyffe said one of the anti-racism protesters stood out in front of the rest to stop him from getting through.
‘The neo-Nazi appeared and pushed through the crowd and began to yell at the (left-wing protestors),’ Mr Wardenclyffe said.
Police were forced to separate Reclaim Australia supporters and opposing protesters by forming a wall at separate rallies across the country
‘The neo-Nazi then got in the face of the man in my photo with sunglasses who had moved into a position to prevent him from getting through.
‘The neo-Nazi yelled at him in a manner which seemed to be an attempt to start a fight, but the guy with sunglasses remained calm and didn’t engage.’
A clash of anti-Islam and anti-racism groups turned dangerous and violent during protests in Melbourne
Melbourne police formed a barrier between the separate rallies to attempt to disperse the protesters
It comes after a Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups has mocked protests
There was never a violent exchange between the groups however the men with the swastika’s moved through the crowd taunting the anti-racism protesters.
The clash comes after a Twitter account claiming to be linked with anti-Islam groups mocked protests being held around Australia last week.
However, organisers behind the Sydney protest were quick to disassociate themselves with the account.
Crowd numbers grew during the afternoon, and some protesters had to be treated by paramedics
Across Australia, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, but Sydney and Melbourne drew the biggest crowd
‘It’s not us,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. ‘Ours is @reclaim_aus.’
Across the country, 16 rallies were scheduled to take place, with events in Sydney and Melbourne appearing to have drawn the biggest crowds.
About 500 people attended the rally held in Martin Place, Sydney, which included speeches from former Australia Defence League member Shermon Burgess and Rise Up! Australia Party NSW President Norm Bishop.
Two people were taken away by police officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally
More than 100 police officers, eleven mounted on horses were used to form the separation wall
Several were injured during the violent rally that saw hundreds of people protest for anti-racism
There was a strong police presence throughout the protest, which included riot police.
Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally.
One took the microphone and told the crowd they should be ‘ashamed’.
Several more were injured in the combative protests, according to reports.
There was a strong police presence throughout the protest, which included riot police
Two people were arrested after they attempted to break through a police barricade that separated the groups
Two people were taken away by officers after they rushed the stage and attempted to disrupt the rally
Protesters cheered as speakers said Australians had to be aware and alert to the threat of Islam and sharia law
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