Reclaim Australia and Canberra Anti-Racism Network members face-off outside Parliament House
Updated
Hundreds of rival demonstrators have faced-off at a Reclaim Australia rally on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra.
About 100 Reclaim Australia members draped in the Australian flag marched to the site chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie", with some wearing shirts saying "If you don't love it, leave it".
The rally in Canberra is part of a national day of anti-Islam protests being held across the country.
In Melton, west of Melbourne, six people were arrested as counter-demonstrators confronted Reclaim Australia protesters.
In Canberra, anti-Islam protesters were also met by counter-demonstrators from the Canberra Anti-Racism Network.
There were fiery exchanges between the groups, but no arrests were made.
There was a heavy police presence on the Parliament House grounds and officers kept the groups divided by fencing.
During the rally, anti-Islam protesters carried signs reading "Islam is a hate group not a religion", and called on the Government to remove Islam's standing in Australia.
One Reclaim Australia member said: "Eventually the time will come when blood will flow on the streets."
Members also urged fellow anti-Islam protesters to vote for Pauline Hanson at the next federal election.
But anti-racism protesters carried signs reading "No to racism, no to fascism" and called Reclaim Australia demonstrators "Nazi scum" and "bigots".
Canberra Anti-Racism Network member Dean Maloney said inclusion and equality were deeply held principles for the vast majority of community members.
"It's important that we show that the overwhelming majority of people stand in support of the Muslim community and others who face racism and discrimination," he said.
"Nobody should be judged because of the colour of their skin."
Reclaim Australia and anti-racism protesters clashed at a similar demonstation in July.
Topics: community-and-society, religion-and-beliefs, police, canberra-2600, act
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