Pro-Hong Kong group clashes with rival protesters in Melbourne as rallies take place across Australia
- Fights broke out in Melbourne, where a pro-Beijing demonstrator attacked an ABC reporter
- Confrontations between the groups also took place at rallies in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
Rallies were held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne from around midday through to 9pm local time, part of a global wave of protests under the banner #StandWithHK.
In Melbourne, a pro-democracy group of more than 2,000 packed the steps of the state library while about 150 pro-China protesters sang the national anthem and waved the Chinese flag just metres away.
“We will not give up! Free Hong Kong now!” the protesters chanted, some waving the city’s former colonial flag.
Protest leaders recited the five demands their movement has issued to the Hong Kong government – the complete withdrawal of the proposed extradition bill; the withdrawal of the use of the word “riot” in relation to protests; the unconditional release of arrested protesters, and charges against them dropped; an independent inquiry into police behaviour; and the implementation of universal suffrage.
Before too long, fights started to break out between the groups, with one pro-Beijing demonstrator attacking a news crew from the ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
