Overview

• Hundreds gathered for four separate demonstrations in the CBD, with far‑right and anti‑racism groups assembling in close proximity near Parliament House and police forming mounted and riot lines to keep them apart.
• Victoria Police declared the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens a designated area, enabling stop‑and‑search and orders to remove face coverings, with the powers in place until 8pm Sunday.
• Officers used capsicum foam at the Bourke and Swanston streets intersection to control clashes as senior police warned that anyone seeking to fight would be arrested and taken into custody.
• Investigations into the August 31 Camp Sovereignty incident are ongoing, with multiple men charged, including Thomas Sewell, and police indicating the site remains a priority to protect.
• Related rallies are taking place in Sydney, Hobart, Canberra and Brisbane, where authorities flagged disruptions but other state police had not issued comparable warnings about potential clashes.