Bendigo is bracing itself for violent clashes this month after anti-racism protesters announced a rally against a far-right protest over the building of its first mosque.
The United Patriots Front, a splinter group of Reclaim Australia, announced last week that it would rally outside Bendigo Town Hall at 3pm on Saturday, August 29.
Opposing group No Room for Racism on Thursday unveiled plans for a counter-rally on the same Saturday, starting at 1.30pm.
More than 1200 people have so far expressed an interest in attending the rally to “stand with Bendigo against racism and bigotry”.
The last time the groups met, outside Parliament House in Melbourne last month, Victoria Police rostered on almost 400 officers.
They had to use capsicum spray to separate rival protesters who fought sporadic running battles up and down Spring St.
Posting a video on Facebook, the United Patriots Front’s Neil Erikson welcomed news of the counter-rally.
“I’m really excited your (sic) coming down to Bendigo,” Mr Erikson said.
“You may think you have sway in Melbourne — which you probably do as Melbourne is the Left-wing capital. But out in Bendigo, they do things differently and your kind are not welcome down there.
“I applaud you for having the balls for coming down to Bendigo,” he said.
Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly, one of the organisers of No Room for Racism, said the group was happy to support a local protest set up in Bendigo to oppose the extremists.
“The people of Bendigo are rightly outraged that neo-Nazis are targeting their city and I predict there will be a very large rally on the day saying no to racism,” Cr Jolly said.
“If we don’t organise a counter-rally, it appears that the people of Bendigo support their cause, which isn’t right.
“We’ll be keeping it loud and peaceful and, hopefully, we can send them away with their tails between their legs.
“We scared them away from Melbourne. Hopefully, we can do the same in Bendigo.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said on Thursday the force was aware of the rally and there would be a police presence to maintain public safety.