Anti-Islam protester 'enjoyed' Halal festival brawl

An anti-Islam protester says he enjoyed the mayhem at a violent brawl outside a Halal food expo in Melbourne on Sunday, despite being hit in the chest with a pole.

At least one man was left bleeding from a head wound, after 30 anti-racism protesters clashed with anti-Islam group Party of Freedom outside the family-friendly Halal food expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale.

Members of both groups kicked and punched their opponents, pinned them to the ground and held them in headlocks, while some used poles and pipes as weapons.

Party for Freedom chairman Nick Folkes says he enjoyed the brawl. Photo: James Alcock

Party for Freedom chairman and Sydney resident Nick Folkes was hit in the chest with a PVC pipe, but insisted he enjoyed his time in Melbourne, including the fight.

"I'm in Melbourne, beautiful city, really enjoyed myself here," he told radio station 3AW.

"It was unfortunate that it happened, but I wouldn't have missed it for all the kebabs in Lakemba," he added, referring to the Muslim enclave of Lakemba in Sydney's west.

A bleeding right-wing activist outside Sunday's Halal festival. Photo: Robert Frantzeskos

Mr Folkes' fellow anti-Islam activists wore T-shirts that read: "Rapefugees … not welcome, stay away." 

They also waved placards reading "Muslim terrorists not welcome here" and "The Truth About Islam: intolerance, slaughter, looting, arson and molestation of women".

However, Mr Folkes defended his group's decision to hold the demonstration and blamed the anti-racism groups for causing the violence.

Protestors clash outside a Halal festival in Ascot Vale. Photo: Robert Frantzeskos

"We've had altercations with these groups before - anarchists and communists - so it's been a re-occurring scene at different rallies," Mr Folkes said.

"Most of the violence comes from these groups coming [and] countering our action. They come with the intention of attacking us.

"I was rammed with a PVC pole and sustained bruising on my chest. There was one guy who sustained a serious injury just above his eye, quite a deep cut. Other people just pushed and shoved … a lot of people were bruised and battered, fists were flying everywhere.

Protesters - including one dressed as a sheik - clash outside the Halal festival in Ascot Vale. Photo: Robert Frantzeskos

"It was absolutely ridiculous ... it got out of hand."

The brawl erupted when the anti-Islam activists were confronted by about 30 anti-racism protesters dressed in black clothing and balaclavas.

The anti-racism campaigners were believed to be part of the Antifa group, whose members have been known to resort to violence. The anti-Islam protesters included members the United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia, as well as Mr Folkes' Party for Freedom.

At the same time, hundreds of campaigners filled Federation Square to protest the anti-Islamic movement, which was put back in the spotlight when a United Patriots Front "stop the mosques" banner was unveiled at the Collingwood AFL game on Friday night.

The scene at Federation Square however was much calmer, with only anti-racism protesters making an appearance. The UPF reportedly abandoned their plans for a rally at the same time after hearing anti-racism campaigners would be in attendance.

Political activist Ezekiel Ox, who has led many of the anti-racism rallies, said it was important to show anti-Islam campaigners they had no place on the city's streets.

"It reclaims the space for multiculturalism and inclusion," he said before joining hundreds in a march to the state library.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane told radio station 3AW it was time for the government to consider outlawing masks and balaclavas at protests. 

"It's an issue we'll be looking to have a conversation with government about," Commissioner Leane said.

"You have to have some reasonable excuse for wearing a mask."

Commissioner Leane said police had been managing the anti-Islam protest on Sunday with as much patience as they could, when the balaclava-clad activists arrived without notice.

"Our police turned around, look[ed] up the street, and all of sudden there's a group with balaclavas on, with intent," he said.

"The other group just appeared without notice ... they jumped off the tram, caused a lot of trouble, left their masks on and disappeared as quickly as they could before we could arrest any of them."

The return of race and religion protests in Melbourne came only weeks after the Moomba festival was marred by rioting youths, which triggered another debate about multiculturalism.

with Allison Worrall, Steve Lillebuen