Neo-Nazis on the march in Melbourne CBD

Around 100 masked neo-Nazis marched through Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall at 12.40am on Saturday, dressed in black and wearing face masks, carrying the sign “White Man Fight Back”.

The march occurred ahead of the National Socialist Network’s “national conference” in regional Victoria. A journalist and photographer were allegedly assaulted by members before the conference began. Responding to the march, Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said, “Eight months after promising anti-masking and anti-hate symbols laws, the government must act now.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the state government planned to introduce these laws next month. “I thank police who maintained the public order. It’s clear they need more powers, and we’re giving it to them,” she said.

In footage posted to social media, police vehicles appeared to gather at the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets in front of the neo-Nazi group, before allowing them to proceed. Police followed the group as they marched to Flagstaff Gardens, before they dispersed around 1.25am. A man who confronted the group was allegedly assaulted and taken to hospital.

When Victoria Police were asked why the protest was allowed to proceed, a spokeswoman said, “No arrests were made throughout the protest and police had a strong presence to maintain community safety and to prevent any breach of the peace.