Commander Sharon Cowden: "It's not good enough" @theheraldsun
— Wes Hosking (@WesHosking) May 28, 2016
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Ugly clashes at Melbourne rally0:49
Rival anti-Islam and anti-racist groups have clashed in ugly scenes in Melbourne's northern suburbs today, with police forced to use capsicum spray to keep the groups separate.
Law & Order
Coburg rally: Police out in force as anti-Islam, anti-racist groups face off
VIOLENT protesters who clashed at today’s Coburg rally have been branded cowards as police revealed knives were among weapons seized.
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Commander Sharon Cowden says many cowardly acts and troublemakers on both sides @theheraldsun
— Wes Hosking (@WesHosking) May 28, 2016
The height of the ugly clashes in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
Another man is arrested during the violence. Picture: Alex Coppel.
VIDEO REPORT > Hundreds at violent Coburg clashes. Tap here.
Seven arrested at Coburg rallies
SEVEN people have been arrested at today’s protests in Coburg, including one man who was carrying three knives.
Victoria Police charged a Bendigo man, 25, and a Skye man, 31, with riotous behaviour.
A Reservoir man, 25, was charged with hindering police and an East Keilor man, 31, was charged with assaulting police.
Another man from Broadmeadows, 33, was charged with attempted robbery.
Police said an 18-year-old man from Gisborne was arrested for possession of a lock pick and graffiti gear. He was released pending further enquiries and summons.
The man carrying three knives was arrested then released with penalty notices.
Turnbull urges protesters to show some respect
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says it was clear Australia was not entirely from racism.
“I have to say we are the most successful multicultural society in the world. There is more work to do,” he said.” In a world of extraordinary disharmony, where so many people are at odds with each other on the basis of religion and race, cultural background, here in Australia we have a very harmonious society. And the key element in that is mutual respect”.
Asked what his message to rioters were: my message as Prime Minister is that mutual respect, respect for each other, giving the respect to others that we ask them and expect them to give to us, that is the key to our success, the most successful multicultural society in the world.”
Police prevent rival protesters meeting at the Coburg rally. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Greens blame asylum seeker debate for race riots
Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says the debate on asylum seekers in Australia to the race riots that have unfolded in Melbourne this morning.
He said we need to acknowledge that this “toxic debate” is contributing to “very ugly race politics”.”We need both the Labor Party and particularly this Government to rein in the comments it is making,” he told reporters this afternoon.
“It’s contributing to ugly race politics, the consequences of it are the ugly scenes we have seen in Melbourne today.”
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Victoria Police react to violence
Police are expected to make a statement about today’s violent clashes at 2pm today.
