Melbourne, Australia — A violent confrontation erupted at Camp Sovereignty during a recent anti-immigration rally, prompting an investigation by counter-terrorism police. The attack involved a group of far-right demonstrators who allegedly assaulted protestors gathered in support of Indigenous rights in Melbourne’s Kings Domain on Sunday evening.
Witnesses described the attack, which unfolded shortly after 5 p.m., as chaotic and frightening. Video footage captured by bystanders showed several men dressed in black using sticks and flagpoles to assault individuals at the camp and verbally harassing them. Some of the attackers were seen stomping on an Aboriginal flag, an act condemned by many in the community.
Among the attackers was a known neo-Nazi figure, which has raised alarms among authorities and community leaders alike. Anthony Carbines, the Victoria Police Minister, confirmed that he conferred with Chief Commissioner Mike Bush following the incident, stating that police are working to identify the involvement of groups like the National Socialist Network in the aggression.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or possesses video evidence to come forward as the investigation unfolds. Ambulance Victoria reported that at least four individuals suffered injuries, including one woman who was hospitalized due to upper body wounds. Robbie Thorpe, a co-founder of Camp Sovereignty, noted that some victims sustained serious injuries, with one woman leaving the hospital with significant head trauma.
Thorpe characterized the aggression as premeditated, asserting that the attackers arrived armed and prepared to instigate violence. He expressed concern over the police’s response and questioned why they did not monitor the far-right group’s earlier movements during the rally. “There are serious questions to be asked,” he said, reflecting the sentiments of many community members who feel vulnerable in light of the attack.
Nathalie Farah, a supporter present at the camp, described the aggressors as neo-Nazi sympathizers who had visited earlier in the day, making their return predictable. She shared her own harrowing experience, stating that she was physically assaulted and witnessed others being similarly attacked. “They came up the hill chanting and holding whatever weapons they could find,” she recalled.
In response to the attack, Carbines called the incident “disgraceful” and emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated in the community. He reassured those affected that the police would conduct a thorough investigation, engaging with both First Nations individuals and Camp Sovereignty members who were traumatized by the event.
Victoria Police confirmed that no arrests were made at the scene of the assault, as the attackers had already fled by the time law enforcement arrived. The police stated that their investigation is ongoing and will include reviewing CCTV footage from the event to identify those responsible.
On the day of the rally, confrontations between various protest groups resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals unrelated to the Camp Sovereignty incident, largely for breaches of public order. Officials noted that while police faced aggression—such as being struck by thrown objects—they acted in accordance with the law to maintain peace during a tense afternoon in Melbourne.
The ongoing investigation aims not only to hold those accountable for the violence at the protest camp but also to address broader concerns regarding the rise of extremist groups and their actions in public spaces. Community leaders continue to call for heightened awareness and protective measures as they seek justice for those affected by the attacks.