A hardline group of anti-Islam protesters are warning they will “defend themselves” if attacked at a race rally in Melbourne tomorrow.
Thousands of people from pro and anti-immigration groups will converge on the city from 10am.
The No Room for Racism group, which is supportive of Islam and immigration, was expected to outnumber the Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front protesters.
Mounted police are expected to be leading the response to the protests, which turned into a powder keg at Federation Square in April with protesters facing off.
But Stephen Jolly, Yarra Councillor and leader of the No Room For Racism group, played down the threat, saying he was so confident it would be peaceful that he would bring his daughter along.
United Patriots Front splintered off from Reclaim Australia and is considered more hard line.
UPF Melbourne organiser Blair Cottrell said that his group was “willing to protect ourselves.”
“If we are attacked we will defend ourselves. We are younger and stronger boys than Reclaim Australia,” he said.
Mr Cottrell said he expected 200 members of his group coming from as far away as Perth, Sydney, Queensland and Adelaide at the protest, while there would be hundreds more in the Reclaim Australia camp.
He told protesters to bring “snacks and water” to prepare for a long day.
It comes as controversial right wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders will return to Australia in October to launch a new political party called the Australian Liberty Alliance.
The party’s controversial platform will be to criticise Islam and end “divisive multiculturalism.”
Mr Jolly said that he expected thousands of people to join his anti-racism group, with more than 3000 people saying on Facebook they will attend.
They will have a truck set up across Spring Street, with loud speakers pointed towards the Parliament House.
Mr Jolly said the UPF was small, so it was trying to intimidate anti-racism protesters.
“They are using violent rhetoric to try to scare every away from the rally,” Mr Jolly said.
“But they will be a smaller group and they will be miles away from us.”
He said the problems in Australia would not be solved by blaming minorities.
Police have sent a letter to protesters on both sides warning them that violence would not be tolerated.
“Victoria Police will not tolerate violent confrontation, any breach of the peace and anti-social behaviour,” the note stated.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said vehicle and pedestrian access to Spring and Bourke Streets would be limited between 10am and 3pm on Saturday.
She would not reveal the number of police expected to patrol the protests.
No Room for Racism will start its protest at 10am, while Reclaim Australia has scheduled to start at 11am and UPF at 1pm.