Anti-Immigration Protests Sweep Australian Cities, Sparking Condemnation
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Thousands participated in demonstrations across major Australian cities on Sunday, protesting against what they termed “massive immigration.” Marches took place in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and other provincial capitals, wiht participants citing concerns ranging from affordable housing and the rising cost of living to environmental impact and community cohesion. The Australian government has condemned the protests,directly linking them to neo-Nazi groups.
Organizers of the “march for Australia” stated they were addressing issues “moderate politicians never had the courage to do: demand the end of massive immigration,” according to Reuters. While no group officially claimed responsibility for organizing the protests,participants included figures prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic who voiced criticism of sanitary containment measures,alongside known neo-Nazi elements.Habitat Minister Murray Watt denounced the demonstrations as detrimental to “social harmony,” stating, “We do not support demonstrations like this, which deal with hatred and divide our community.” He affirmed the protests were ”organized and promoted” by neo-Nazi groups.
Opposition Liberal Party leader sussan Ley echoed this sentiment, declaring there was “no place for violence, racism or intimidation,” and warning against allowing “hatred and fear to tear our social cohesion.” Pauline Hanson, leader of the Radical One Nation Party, was among those participating in the anti-immigration marches.
Counter-protests were also held, including a rally in Sydney organized by the coalition of action by refugees, drawing hundreds to express opposition to the far-right agenda. In Melbourne, a clash occurred between the anti-immigration march and a weekly pro-Palestinian solidarity gathering, prompting police intervention to disperse the pro-Palestinian crowd, as reported by The Guardian.
Australia, with a population of approximately 27 million, has a critically important immigrant population, with roughly half of its residents either born abroad or the children of foreign-born parents. the demonstrations come amid ongoing debate regarding immigration policy and its impact on Australian society,including recent measures to restrict foreign purchases of housing in an attempt to address affordability concerns.
