Melbourne's central business district was the scene of shocking far-right extremism this weekend, as a group of neo-Nazis staged a provocative march through the city streets.
Witnesses reported seeing approximately 30 men, many clad in black with their faces covered, performing Nazi salutes near Flinders Street Station. The group's sudden appearance sent ripples of alarm through Saturday afternoon crowds.
Police Response Under Scrutiny
Victoria Police confirmed they monitored the situation but made no arrests during the incident. This response has drawn criticism from community leaders who question why the demonstrators weren't immediately dispersed.
A police spokesperson stated: "We're aware of the group's presence and are reviewing footage to determine if any laws were broken."
Community Leaders Condemn Extremism
Jewish community representatives expressed particular concern about the march occurring near Holocaust memorials. "This display of hate has no place in our multicultural city," said one prominent community leader.
State politicians from across the political spectrum united in condemning the incident, with Premier Daniel Andrews calling it "a disgraceful display of racism and intolerance."
Historical Context
This isn't the first far-right demonstration in Melbourne recently. Last year saw similar groups attempting to co-opt COVID-19 protests for their extremist agenda.
Security experts warn that such public displays represent an alarming normalization of extremist ideologies that require both legal and community-based responses.
