Scuffle at Bendigo diversity rally

The city, which sits 90 minutes away from Melbourne, has become the unlikely face of anti-Islam rallies after the City of Greater Bendigo announced its decision earlier in June past year to build a new mosque in the city which has become a hotbed for right-wing protests against Islam and fears of terrorism.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews echoed Leane’s thoughts at a multiculturalism round table in Bendigo yesterday raising the possibility of fringe groups who would add fuel to the protests.

The man was identified by the crowd as being part of an anti-muslim protest also planned for Bendigo on Saturday.

UPF’s Blair Cottrell told Tom Elliott on 3AW drive it’s a “public demonstration” rather than a protest.

More than 400 police officers will be deployed to Bendigo for tomorrow’s rally, with clashes between anti-mosque protesters and anti-racism demonstrators expected.

The No Room For Racism organiser, Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly, said Bendigo residents had enough of racists targeting their city.

And those in opposition the United Patriots Front participated in giving speeches and flying flags in protest of the first mosque planned for the city.

Extra police resources will be brought in to Bendigo to try to contain the protesters and quell any violence. “You’ve got people who wouldn’t know how to spell Bendigo coming to Bendigo, trashing Bendigo’s good name”, the premier said on Friday.

‘It is our responsibility as forward-thinking citizens to take every opportunity to educate fellow Bendigonians, and show them why we hold the beliefs that we do, and we must do so peacefully and respectfully.

Mr Leane asked moderate protesters to reconsider their involvement.

Mr Turnbull believes people heading to race rallies are working against the national interest and making the job of police harder.

Mr Andrews also warned against the rally, and described opponents of the mosque as illiterate outsiders.

‘Australian society is built on pluralism and we have come too far to allow a handful of bigots to destabilise Victoria’s social harmony, ‘ Islamic Council of Victoria secretary Kuranda Seyit said. If people are vilifying another group, “how can that possibly be anything other than contrary to our national interest”, the prime minister told reporters in Sydney on Friday.