March for Australia

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March for Australia
March for australia logo.png
Marchforaus-1.jpg
Protestors march in Perth
Date31 August 2025 (2025-08-31)
Time12 noon – 2 pm (ACST · AWST · AEST)
Location Adelaide · Brisbane · Cairns · Canberra · Darwin · Hobart · Melbourne · Perth · Sydney · Townsville
Other small satellite events
Type Protest, Demonstration
Cause anti-immigration
Organized byBec Freedom (pseudonym), National Socialist Network (partially [a] )[ citation needed ]
Participants~52,400 (police estimates)
ArrestsAt least 21 [b]
Website marchforaustralia.org

March for Australia was a series of protests against mass immigration in many Australian cities, including all state and territory capitals, that occurred on 31 August 2025. [1] The protests aimed to express discontent towards perceived mass-immigration policies of Australia. [6] [7] The protests have been described as far-right and white nationalist in nature, a claim organisers denied. [8] [9] [10]

Contents

The marches were promoted by various politicians and commentators, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, federal MP Bob Katter, and neo-Nazi organisation National Socialist Network. [1] It was reported that the Sydney protest was organised by pseudonymous nationalist figure Bec Freedom. Others report that one of the co-ordinators was the grandson of the chairman of Peet Limited, one of Australia's largest building companies. [8] [9] [ relevant? ]

The protests garnered significant media attention inside Australia and caused concerns among migrant community groups. [11] Preliminary figures, excluding some cities which haven't reported participants, estimated attendees at protests to be around 52,400 protestors across the country. [12] [13] [14]

Locations

Adelaide

South Australian Police estimate that 15,000 people were present for the anti-immigration rally in Adelaide, including both participants in the March and the counter-protestors. Three people were arrested and charged in the protests, two were charged with "wearing articles of disguise" and failing to state personal details and the other for assaulting police. [15]

A marcher at the Adelaide rally was seen holding a placard depicting Dezi Freeman, the alleged perpetrator of the Porepunkah police shootings that had occurred 5 days before the rally, where Freeman allegedly murdered two police officers and wounded another. At the time of the march, Freeman was on the run from police. [16] The man presented to a police station a few days later where he was arrested and charged with displaying offensive material in a public place. [16] [17]

Brisbane, Queensland Roma Street Parklands

Police estimated that 6,000 people attended the protest. [18] The march began from Roma Street Parkland and continued to the courtyard of Parliament House and the surrounding City Botanic Gardens. Queensland Libertarian Party president Lachlan Lade was among the speakers at the rally. Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Todd Reid commended the "overall peaceful behaviour" of the protest with only two people being arrested. One man was arrested and charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and another was detained for a breach of the peace. [19]

Cairns, Queensland - "Freedom Park", Esplanade

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Captain Cook Memorial

Darwin, Northern Territory Civic Centre

Hobart, Tasmania Salamanca Lawns

Top to bottom:March For Australia protestors in Perth, near Parliament House; March for Australia protestors gather in Hobart. Marchforaus-4.jpg
Protestors in Hobart gathering for March for Australia.jpg Top to bottom:March For Australia protestors in Perth, near Parliament House; March for Australia protestors gather in Hobart.

Approximately 300 protestors attended. No arrests occurred at this demonstration, however riot police were mobilised due to a clash between March for Australia and Rally for Hope protestors. Notable attendees included One Nation candidate for Tasmania Lee Hanson, and City of Clarence councillor and former One Nation candidate Emma Goyne. [20] March for Australia drew a larger number of participants than the counter-rally. [20] Small decentralised demonstration in Launceston, Tasmania. [21]

Melbourne, Victoria Flinders Street station

On 30 August, organiser Bec Freedom released a statement in which she said that members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) would not be banned or removed from the Melbourne protest, and said she no longer had control over the Melbourne protest. [22] Police estimated that participants of the March for Australia demonstration and counter-protestors numbered approximately 5,000. [1] Thomas Sewell, leader of the NSN, spoke at the rally in Melbourne. [21] [23]

During the protest, a group from the NSN, broke away from the larger protest and stormed Camp Sovereignty. [8] [24] The group of attackers were reported to be armed with pipes and large tree branches, and appeared to target women and older members at the site's encampment, as well as damaging the sacred site. [23] Sewell and other members of the NSN were arrested on 2 September 2025, in relation to the incident. [25]

Perth, Western Australia

An estimated 10,000 people were at the anti-immigration rally in Perth according to Western Australia Police. [26] [27] The march began from Supreme Court Gardens and marched up St Georges Terrace to Parliament House, where speeches were then given. [27] WA One Nation MP, Rod Caddies, was among the speakers at the rally. [27] Three people were arrested in connection with the protest: two were charged with weapon related offences and the other for assaulting a public officer. [26] A further 13 were issued move-on notices. [26] Perth's rally appeared more subdued than those in the eastern states, [26] with only a few hundred counter-protestors. [27]

Sydney, New South Wales

An estimated 15,000 people were at the anti-immigration rally in Sydney, with between 2000 and 3000 people at a coinciding pro-Palestine march according to acting assistant commissioner Scott Tanner. [10] [21] [18] The march began from Belmore Park near Central Station to Victoria Park in Camperdown, where speeches were given. NSW Libertarian MP, John Ruddick, was among the speakers at the rally. [28] One woman was arrested in Hyde Park and was charged with breaching the peace. [28]

Townsville, Queensland Anzac Memorial Park

According to the ABC around 400 people attended the anti-immigration march in Townsville. The march was led by members of the Katter's Australian Party. Former party leader, Bob Katter gave a speech at the march and was joined by Queensland state MPs Nick Dametto and Robbie Katter.[ citation needed ]

Reactions

An ABC News investigation found the organisers of the rallies to have ties to various Neo-Nazi and White nationalist individuals, along with the NSN. [8] [29]

Leaders of multicultural communities warned community members to stay inside and avoid the protests in case of potential violence. [30] Organizer "Bec Freedom" was captured on a recording saying, "We need violence, I'm sorry, but we need f—ing violence." [31] When confronted by 2GB reporter Ben Fordham, Freedom later apologised, but she was also recorded advising people on how to covertly introduce far-right ideas to make them sound more palatable to the mainstream. "... this is how I tried to explain it to somebody. I say, OK, so protect Australian heritage, culture, way of life. Next step, protect European culture, heritage, way of life. The next step is protect white heritage. It all means the same thing. It's just different ways to put it. Australian heritage, by saying it that way, it is more appealing to the public. It's going to deter them from saying, 'Oh, it's a Nazi rally', blah, blah, blah. That's all it means, Australian is white, it's European, European white." [32]

Federal MP Bob Katter held a press conference on 28 August, in which he expressed support for the protests. He was asked a question by a Nine News reporter about Katter's Lebanese heritage, to which Katter responded by threatening to punch the reporter. [33] [34]

The Australian government noted their concern surrounding the protests and called them "Un-Australian". [29] [30] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave this quote in response to the protests and Bob Katter's actions, "You're speaking to someone called Albanese. We've got a Senate leader called [Penny] Wong. Migration enriches. Except for the First Australians, we're all either migrants or descendants of them." [35]

Elon Musk shared a post on Twitter that incorrectly claimed that 150,000 people attended the Brisbane and Sydney protests. Police estimated that attendance at those protests was 21,000. [18]

Some notable people have expressed their support or lack thereof for the protests.

Support

Neutral

Against

See also

Notes

  1. There are claims that the National Socialist Network was involved, at least in part, in organising the Melbourne protest.
  2. Adelaide: 3 arrests [1]
    Brisbane: 2 arrests [2]
    Perth: 3 arrests [3]
    Sydney: 1 arrest [4]
    Melbourne: 12 arrests [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Convery, Stephanie; May, Natasha (31 August 2025). "Neo-nazis and politicians among protesters at anti-immigration March for Australia rallies". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. AAP (31 August 2025). "Anti-migration rallies condemned as protesters arrested" . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. "'Distasteful' Neo-Nazi chant at Perth rally doesn't breach WA hate laws, police say". ABC News. 1 September 2025. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. Ganko, Josefine (31 August 2025). "Ugly brawls erupt after Sydney anti-immigration protest" . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  5. Convery, Stephanie (1 September 2025). "Neo-Nazis attack Indigenous protest site after anti-immigration rally in Melbourne as officer allegedly assaulted in Sydney". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  6. "Clashes in Australia's Melbourne as thousands rally against immigration". Al Jazeera . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  7. Bogle, Ariel; Bucci, Nino; Convery, Stephanie (2 September 2025). "How neo-Nazis used the shield of 'ordinary mums and dads' anti-immigration rallies to sell white supremacy". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Workman, Michael; Martino, Matt; Hewson, Georgie (27 August 2025). "Investigation finds links between white nationalist views and March for Australia organisers". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 Olaya, Kayla (28 August 2025). "'White Australians' and neo-Nazis: Who's behind anti-immigration rally". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 Zhuang, Yan (1 September 2025). "Anti-Immigrant Protests Attended by Neo-Nazis in Australia Worry Leaders" . New York Times . Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. Renaldi, Erwin (29 August 2025). "Nationwide March for Australia sparks mixed reactions among migrants". ABC News. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  12. Gallagher, Alex (31 August 2025). "How the March for Australia anti-immigration rallies and counter-protests unfolded". SBS News . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  13. "Scuffles at anti-immigration rallies held across the country". ABC News. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  14. https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/small-minority-of-illinformed-multicultural-groups-issue-warning-ahead-of-antiimmigration-protests/news-story/1429f3e682a6896e14a14bad4f1e203f Hobart - ' nearly 300'
  15. "Brawl erupts in Melbourne's CBD as anti-immigration and counter-protesters clash — as it happened - Police say 15,000 people protested in Adelaide". ABC News. 31 August 2025. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Dezi Freeman placard at anti-immigration rally 'disgraceful', SA Police say". ABC News. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  17. "Man charged after displaying Dezi Freeman placard at anti-immigration rally". ABC News. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 Lyons, Kate (1 September 2025). "Elon Musk shares post on X with incorrect attendance figures for Australia's anti-immigration protests". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  19. Beatty, Liam; Olbrycht-Palmer, Joseph; Jakes, Elodie; Henry, Thomas; Packer, Clareese (31 August 2025). "Pepper spray used in controversial anti-immigration rallies". The Australian . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Opposing rallies draw hundreds to Hobart waterfront over immigration concerns". Pulse Tasmania. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 "Brawl erupts in Melbourne's CBD as anti-immigration and counter-protesters clash — as it happened". ABC News. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  22. "Bec Freedom - ❤️🇦🇺❤️MARCH FOR AUSTRALIA❤️🇦🇺❤️I've had a..." Facebook .
  23. 1 2 "Counter-terrorism police reviewing attack on Indigenous gathering place". ABC News. 31 August 2025. Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  24. Eddie, Rachel (1 September 2025). "Police investigate violent attack by neo-Nazis on Indigenous sacred site". The Age. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  25. Houston, Cameron (2 September 2025). "Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell arrested outside court". The Age . Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Perth anti-immigration protesters facing knife charges". The West Australian. 1 September 2025. Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Le May, Rebecca (31 August 2025). "Neo-nazis in massive crowd of anti-immigration activists dwarfing counter rally in Perth amid national action". The West Australian. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  28. 1 2 McGowan, Michael (31 August 2025). "'Send them back': Thousands march at Sydney anti-immigration rally". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  29. 1 2 Mckeith, Samuel; Adams, Hollie (31 August 2025). "Thousands in Australia rally against immigration, government condemns rally". Reuters . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  30. 1 2 "'Un-Australian': Government criticises 'March for Australia' rallies amid community fears". SBS News . 25 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  31. Bennett, Ebony (29 August 2025). "Who's going to stand up and make Nazis ashamed again?". The Australia Institute. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  32. Smith, Rohan (29 August 2025). "What organisers of August 31 rally say". news.com.au .
  33. Masters, Rebecca (29 August 2025). "Calls for consequences, apology after Bob Katter threatens to punch journalist". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  34. 1 2 Meade, Amanda (29 August 2025). "Nine demands Bob Katter apologise for 'aggressive behaviour' towards reporter and considers legal action". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  35. "PM suggests Bob Katter 'have a look at himself' for threatening journalist over heritage question". SBS News. 28 August 2025. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  36. "Support Australia First March For Australia August 31". 20 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  37. McKay, Jack (28 August 2025). "Robbie Katter defends his father Bob's actions after question over Lebanese heritage". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  38. Christou, Steve [@ChristouSteve] (31 August 2025). "March for Australia Rally Speech. Honoured to address the tens of thousand of Aussie Patriots that showed up" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 August 2025 via Twitter.
  39. "Pauline Hanson Urges Proud and Respectful March on August 31". Pauline Hanson's One Nation. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  40. Babet, Ralph [@senatorbabet] (30 August 2025). "I urge all patriotic Australians to peacefully assemble tomorrow and defend our nation against the globalists who seek to dismantle it" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2025 via Twitter.
  41. McKay, Scobie (18 August 2025). "How neo-Nazi support for a viral anti-immigration rally exposed fractures among 'freedom' groups". Crikey. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  42. Breslin, Conor (28 August 2025). "Queensland Premier refuses to condemn an anti-immigration rally linked to extremist propaganda, insisting protests are acceptable if carried out 'respectfully'". Sky News Australia.
  43. Atfield, Cameron (30 August 2025). "Deputy Premier defends far-right rally's right to protest, but urges calm". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  44. 1 2 Darling, Alexander (30 August 2025). "'We don't walk with Nazis': Allan concerned but not afraid of Melbourne's March for Australia". The Age. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  45. Bucci, Nino (29 August 2025). "March for Australia: how are police and government responding to anti-immigration rally promoted by neo-Nazis?". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  46. Thompson, Rod (30 August 2025). "Council opposes March for Australia rally in Newcastle". Newcastle Weekly. Retrieved 30 August 2025.