Police have kept the area around Eltham’s Andrew Park in lock down during today’s pro- and anti-refugee rallies, preventing the clashes between rival groups that have marred similar protests in the CBD, Coburg, Bendigo and Melton.
Billed by right-wing groups as the “Battle of Eltham”, Saturday’s demonstration was called to oppose the placement of 120 Syrian refugees in empty accommodation at a local aged care facility.
About 100 anti-refugee protesters, including from organisers Party for Freedom, True Blue Crew and Soldiers of Odin, gathered in Andrew Park for a rally and speeches at 12:30.
Access to the park was tightly controlled by Victoria Police who kept a handful of hecklers well away from the rally on the opposite of a fenced tennis court.
Protesters put up signs saying, “Protect Elderly in Aged Care” and “Love Australia or Leave”, while others wore T-shirts saying “Rapefugees not welcome”.
About a dozen hands went up in the crowd when a speaker called out for locals to identify themselves.
Earlier in the morning about 100 pro-refugee supporters marched through one of the main streets of Eltham but were stopped on the edge of Andrew Park by a large contingent of police.
Carrying signs that read, “Eltham says yes to refugees” and “Welcome refugees. Melbourne to Bendigo and Eltham. Drive the fascists out!”, they held a silent protest for about 10 minutes before moving away to another rally point.
The heavy police presence in response to the two demonstrations drew the ire of some locals who gathered around the edges of Andrew Park ahead of the rally.
“I can’t walk through the park today like I do every day because of all this,” one woman said. “I’ve lived in Eltham for more than 30 years and I have concerns about refugees moving into the area, about whether or not they have been vetted properly. But this is not the way to handle it. It’s scary.”
Clustering together in small groups, some of the locals debated the plan to settle the refugees in the St Vincent’s facility across the road. While some differed as to whether or not it was a good idea, many were upset that people from around the state were flooding into the suburb to demonstrate.
“Who are these people? Most certainly don’t live in Eltham – both sides are using our local issue for their own reasons,” one local said.
One man, who was headed off to the races before the rally started, was far sharper in his criticism. “They’re all f---ing idiots. Both sides. Can’t they find something better to do?”