Violent clashes that resulted in seven arrests on Sunday don’t reflect Melton’s community values, according to mayor Kathy Majdlik.
“We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive city,” Cr Majdlik said.
More than 1000 protesters descended on the streets of Melton where left-wing anti-racism groups clashed with members of right-wing groups including Reclaim Australia, True Blue Crew, and the United Patriots Front.
The groups clashed on High Street and in front of the council offices in response to plans for a mosque in Melton West and an Islamic school approved for Victoria University’s Melton campus.
“The majority of people who attended came into our city from other areas and unfortunately chose Melton as the latest backdrop for their rallies,” Cr Majdlik said.
“Council supports the rights of people to express their views through freedom of speech, but that right imposes upon them the need to abstain from violence.”
About 500 police officers, including officers on horseback and heavily armoured riot police, spent six hours trying to keep the two groups apart.
Those arrested included a 29-year-old man for punching a police horse, three people for possessing weapons and three for riotous behaviour.
The 29-year-old is expected to be charged on summons, while the other six have received penalty notices.
Victoria Police’s Acting Commander Alan Byrne said almost 800 people were searched for weapons.
“We were able to keep the peace and successfully facilitate a lawful protest,” Acting Commander Byrne said. “All in all, it was peaceful and we would regard it as successful.”
Three people reported receiving injuries at the protest. No officers were injured.
Capsicum spray
Acting Commander Byrne said capsicum spray was used twice, once when a protester punched a police horse and again to keep the two groups apart during a violent confrontation.
Several protesters from both sides were seen with young children, including a Reclaim Australia supporter pushing a stroller with a toddler through the crowd.
SAY NO TO RACISM PROTESTORS.
Retiring commissioner for children and young people, Bernie Geary, said he was shocked to learn children had been taken to the rally.
“Children will experience fear and trauma as a consequence of being [there] yesterday – not just watching, not just seeing and hearing, but experiencing. That means they would be traumatised and in the long run that would be very harmful,” he told radio station 3AW.
Meanwhile, Hunters & Collectors frontman Mark Seymour condemned the use of his song Holy Grail by Reclaim Australia.
“Let me be clear: Reclaim Australia is a racist organisation,” Seymour wrote on Facebook. We are opposed to bigotry, race hate and fascism. Reclaim Australia has no place in Australian society.”
Referring to the rallies, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kate Jenkins said racism’s impact was “vast and insidious”.
Melton council chief executive Kel Tori said only minor damage was caused to the garden beds at the front of the council offices.
– with The Age
