Yarra Council meeting interrupted by far-right group protesting against Australia Day changes
Updated
A group of far-right protesters have stormed an evening council meeting in Melbourne to protest against its decision to scrap Australia Day.
The group interrupted Tuesday night's City of Yarra meeting carrying Australian flags and protest signs while shouting and chanting with megaphones.
Last month the council, which represents Melbourne's inner north-eastern suburbs including Richmond and Fitzroy, voted to replace its Australia Day citizenship ceremony with an event to mark the "loss of Indigenous culture".
It also voted to drop all references to Australia Day in official communications, and continue to officially support the 'Change the date' campaign.
The move drew strong criticism from some corners, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and prompted the Federal Government to strip it of its powers to hold citizenship ceremonies.
Neighbouring Darebin Council has since followed Yarra's lead to scrap official Australia Day celebrations.
Members of the group filmed their protest on Tuesday night, as they shouted "Aussie pride, nationwide".
Yarra Mayor Amanda Stone told ABC Radio Melbourne there was no threat to those at the meeting.
"It was a small number. They left pretty quickly," she said.
"One of them even apologised so they did have manners and they have made their point."
'Political intimidation won't work'
The video was uploaded to the YouTube account of Neil Erikson, who earlier in the day was found guilty of inciting serious contempt for Muslims.
He and two other men linked to the United Patriots Front group had been involved in a mock beheading in Bendigo, staged to protest against a mosque in the regional town.
The group also targeted Socialist councillor Stephen Jolly at the meeting.
"Stephen Jolly, he's shameful. Shameful. How dare you," they yelled.
The protesters left soon after and there were no arrests made.
Cr Jolly said he and the other councillors would not be intimidated.
"It was a clear form of political intimidation. It didn't work. It has only made people more resolved to stand by their principles and they made idiots of themselves," he said.
"These people are clearly anti-democratic and these people are clearly bullies and we will not be intimidated by these jackasses."
Topics: community-and-society, local-government, event, australia-day, richmond-3121, melbourne-3000, vic
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