Rallies across Australia were held on Sunday to oppose the rise of the far right, serving as counter-protests to the anti-immigrant “March for Australia.” The first march, which occurred on August 31, was significantly larger, drawing around 15,000 people and organized by the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN). In contrast, the counter-protests attracted thousands, particularly young attendees.
The smaller turnout at the “March for Australia” was attributed to growing hostility towards the NSN and its members’ role in the original march. Speakers at the anti-immigrant event primarily suggested that immigrants were to blame for social issues, appealing mostly to older crowds.
The counter-protests, endorsed by groups like Young Labor and the Young Greens, have been criticized for channeling opposition back toward the Labor government, which is seen as complicit in the rise of far-right sentiments through its own policies. This has included a crackdown on protests related to the Gaza conflict, reflecting broader attacks on democratic rights, particularly in Melbourne where police employed aggressive tactics against demonstrators.
Attendees, including students and workers, expressed that the growing far-right is a response to economic inequalities and a failure of politicians to address social issues. Many called for an independent working-class mobilization to combat fascism and emphasized the need for a socialist program to counteract the rise of autocratic and undemocratic forces.
