An estimated 1,500 anti-racism protesters marched through the Melbourne CBD on Friday night.
The rally attracted protesters from the Socialist Alliance, the Greens Party and the Civil Rights Defence group. It stopped traffic as it weaved its way through the city to the Liberal Party state offices in Exhibition Street.
Organiser Kim Bullimore says the riots in Sydney have shown that political leaders lack the will to combat racism. “What we need is some leadership … actually take a stand,” she said. “I’m here today because I think that Muslim and Arab people should be welcome in our country,” one protester said.
Another said: “These riots have happened in Sydney due to tension that’s been building up for a long time. We don’t believe in a divided Australia.”