Supporters of the US president-elect, Donald Trump, were outnumbered three to one by anti-Trump protesters and six to one by police at rallies in Melbourne.
About 40 people turned up at Victoria’s Parliament House in support of Trump, far short of the 1,000 people expected by far right groups the United Patriots Front (UPF) and True Blue Crew.
The gathering arrived about an hour after a group of about 150 anti-Trump protesters, loosely grouped under anti-racism, and anti-fascism banners, had congregated at parliament and then marched on, leaving police with riot shields to form a barrier between the two groups.
Police arrested a 41-year-old man from Eaglehawk after an alleged altercation with news photographer Julian Smith, who was left bleeding from the exchange.
Guy Stayner (@GuyStayner)
Photographer Julian Smith left bloodied after an altercation with a protester @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/cOJn2KaPc1
November 20, 2016
ABC reporter Guy Stayner said the man had been near the pro-Trump supporters but he did not know if he was a member of the UPF or associated organisations.
A police spokesman said the man had been released pending further investigation.
Adam Carey (@adamlcarey)
Made it round police line to Trump rally, maybe 30 odd here. pic.twitter.com/r6Lgc80rxL
November 20, 2016
UPF leader, Blair Cottrell, had eggs thrown at him before addressing the small gathering, telling supporters that Trump’s election was a “victory for the west,” AAP reported.
It is a new spin on an old theme for protests in Victoria, which have become characterised by duelling marches between the far-right groups and a collection of centrist or left-leaning anti-racism organisations.
Adam Carey (@adamlcarey)
Left wing rally has moved up Lonsdale St but police line has it covered. Still no Trump fan club. pic.twitter.com/5uvmcbiSC3
November 20, 2016
Earlier on Sunday the Victoria police force said it was aware of the rallies and would be out in force to ensure both sides conducted themselves peacefully.
“We respect the right of the community to express their views peacefully and lawfully, but we will not tolerate people breaking the law,” a police spokeswoman told Guardian Australia.
Cottrell declared Trump’s election a “victory of democracy” in a video posted to Facebook on November 9.
“This is a victory that’s going to send shockwaves across the entire world,” he said. “It’s going to change everything. It sets a new precedent. Political correctness, the left, it’s done.
“All the progress that the Marxist left made in America, the United States of America, over the last 50 years … it’s all done, it’s going to be undone in the next four years.”
Protests between the two groups have turned violent before.
In May seven people were arrested in brawls between far-right groups, including the UPF and Reclaim Australia, and anti-racism protesters in Coburg, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Eight people were arrested during violent clashes at rallies in Melbourne and Sydney in November 2015.
