Thousands Rally Against Immigration in Australia Amid Government Condemnation

Tue Oct 21 2025 17:08:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Major Australian cities witnessed significant anti-immigration rallies, drawing thousands and leading to clashes with counter-protests, while officials denounced the events as spreading hate.

Anti-immigration rallies across Australia drew thousands, prompting government and community leaders to condemn the events for having far-right ties. Clashes occurred between protesters and counter-demonstrators in cities including Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian government reaffirmed its commitment against hate-driven activism, emphasizing inclusivity and social cohesion.

Thousands of Australians have turned out for anti-immigration rallies across the country that were condemned by the government as having far-right links and spreading hate.

March for Australia rallies took place in Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities, resulting in several clashes as marchers were met with counter-demonstrations.

A number of opposition politicians, including One Nation senator Pauline Hanson and federal MP Bob Katter, joined the marches.

Australia has faced a recent rise in right-wing extremism, making the Nazi salute punishable by a mandatory prison term earlier this year.

Up to 8,000 people assembled for the Sydney rally, according to ABC Australia. Police reported that hundreds of officers were deployed across the city but saw no significant incidents.

In Melbourne, protesters clashed with attendees of a separate pro-Palestine rally. A known neo-Nazi, Thomas Sewell, addressed crowds from the steps of Parliament House.

In Adelaide, police estimated 15,000 people were present at both a rally and a counter-demonstration, with crowds being reported as generally well-behaved by local media.

One demonstrator held a placard supporting Dezi Freeman, a conspiracy theorist accused of shooting two police officers earlier this week, leading to a large-scale manhunt.

The marches were promoted by opposition politicians, neo-Nazi figures, and some anti-lockdown campaigners that became prominent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The March for Australia website claims that Australia's unity and shared values have been eroded by policies and movements that divide us, expressing concerns over mass migration affecting community bonds.

The Australian government condemned the rallies, emphasizing that there is no place for any type of hate in Australia. Home affairs minister Tony Burke stated, There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion.

Dr. Anne Aly, the minister for multicultural affairs, reinforced that the activist's brand of racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia.