The digital billboard outside a Canberra theatre is still featuring two girls in hijab celebrating Australia Day despite reports of online threats against the centre.
Far-right groups threatened to vandalise and set fire to the billboard outside Canberra Theatre Centre, after it posted a photo of the billboard with the image of the Muslim children waving Australian flags on its Facebook page on Monday.
Anti-Islamic protesters threatened to bomb the theatre, prompting staff to remove the post, the ABC reported.
The threats have now been referred to police for investigation, ACT Policing confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
However the abuse continued on the Reclaim Australia Canberra Inc Facebook page, where one commenter said the sign "should be burnt".
"I will support the burning of this poster but not our flag," one wrote.
"Go and buy some spray paint that's a smack in the face for our Aussies it's no fault of the little girls," another said.
Canberra Theatre Centre staff have refused to comment on the threats however Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the government would not bow to intimidation.
"We will always support a multicultural Australia and we will always support people of all backgrounds in our city," Mr Barr said.
"If these are serious threats, those who've made them should face the full force of the law."
Anti-racism campaigners raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to place the image on billboards around Australia after social media outrage forced Victorian authorities to pull it from their Australia Day outdoor advertisements.
The ACT government vowed to support the #PutThemBackUp campaign despite a territory-wide ban on billboards.
Greens politician Shane Rattenbury said he was appalled to hear of the threats.
"Canberra is a diverse and inclusive city however, we all have a responsibility to stand together against racism and discrimination when it occurs," Mr Rattenbury said.
"Cultural institutions like the Canberra Theatre have an important role to play in reflecting the diversity and richness of our community back at us. I want to thank the Canberra Theatre for standing behind this important message, and offer our support to their staff."
Two videos circulating on social media also condemned the theatre and the government for supporting the sign.
One Facebook user filmed himself and two other people he claimed were from Reclaim Australia outside the Canberra Theatre.
"Good on you, Shane Rattenbury, you anti-Australian," he said in the video.
"We know you pushed for this because you and your Greens party are so anti-Australian you'll do anything to get rid of the Australian culture.
"This isn't a racial thing, it isn't any religious discrimination, this is an Australian cultural thing."
President of the Canberra Interfaith Forum Dean Sahu Khan said he was "not shocked in view of what's happening around the world but very disappointed and disgusted in what's happened".
"This is something that should not be tolerated by any member of society irrespective of religious background. Today it's against two people of the Islamic faith, tomorrow it could be against Jews or Christians or Buddhists, could be against anybody," Mr Khan said.
Organiser of the #PutThemBackUp campaign Dee Madigan said the Canberra Theatre staff were brave for keeping the sign up.
"Isn't it stupid that that's a brave thing? You almost shouldn't notice it," Ms Madigan said.
"Canberra is an incredibly progressive city, I'd be very surprised if [the people criticising the billboard] were from Canberra to be honest."