Once again, a solid line of counter-demonstrators have proved that damaging anti-Islam propaganda won’t be spread without a fight.
Following a satisfyingly anti-climactic anti-Islam rally held in Parramatta last night, a protest in Bendigo, Victoria has seen only minor scuffles break out between anti-racism supporters and anti-Islam protesters, as the latter have held a demonstration against the building of a new Mosque in the regional town.
From reports emerging at the time of writing, the demonstration was beginning to wind down – after physical separation of the two groups was staged—on either sides of a bridge in a central Bendigo park—this afternoon. A standoff between the hundreds of protesters ensued.
Business Insider reports that the protesters, estimated to be in the hundreds, were made up of United Patriots Front toxic bigots members, the Australian Defence League, and Rise Up Australia. No Room For Racism was represented in the counter-protest group.
Judging by the former’s choice of chants, the UPF’s strategy included the kind of eloquent, relevant banter one might expect:
Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi the chant of choice for the Nationalist protesters in #Bendigo @abcnewsMelb
— Guy Stayner (@GuyStayner) October 10, 2015
Anti #BendigoMosque rally in #Bendigo 10/10/15 #BanIslam pic.twitter.com/z3Z2mR0qjD
— Ken Oath (@KenBOath) October 10, 2015
According to The Age, counter-protesters were heard saying “Nazi scum off our streets” before leaving the demonstration at around 3pm this afternoon.
The protest led by UPF stems from the approval of a mosque to be built in the town for the first time by Bendigo’s regional city council.
More than 400 anti and pro-Islamic protesters have gathered in the Victorian city of #Bendigo #bendigomosque pic.twitter.com/iQUKJP0jNQ
— ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) October 10, 2015
Real Bendigonians Say Welcome. Take your fear mongering and racist propaganda away #bendigomosque #bendigo pic.twitter.com/3vYgY3ZJCa
— Louise Bray (@loujbee) October 10, 2015
While hundreds of police and a riot squad was deployed this afternoon in anticipation of violence between the two groups, no major incidents were reported. With this notable exception, mebbe:
UPF protester just told off by cop for mooning anti racists. “I’m sure you got a great ass but keep it in your pants”. Quote of the day
— Chris Vedelago (@chrisvedelago) October 10, 2015
via The Age.
Lead image via Twitter.
