Violent Anti-Immigration Rallies Erupt in Melbourne, Police Use Force, Two Officers Hospitalized

Violent clashes erupted in Melbourne between anti-mass immigration protesters and counter-protesters, leading to injuries among police officers and the use of force by law enforcement. Riot police deployed stun grenades, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to control the crowd after being attacked with rocks, glass bottles, and fruit. Two officers were hospitalized, with one suspected of a broken hand and another sustaining a leg laceration. The counter-protest, named 'United Against Racism: Migrants and Refugees Are Welcome,' attempted to confront the anti-migration demonstrators, escalating tensions. Police justified their use of force due to the projectiles thrown, and arrests have been made with more anticipated. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Tony Burke acknowledged the need to reduce migrant levels, noting the current intake is significantly lower than post-COVID peaks, although a multi-year target for migration reduction was deemed unhelpful.