2 September 2025
Fitzroy Legal Service stands against the racist ‘March for Australia’ protests
This country’s identity is built on diversity, not division. Fitzroy Legal Service strongly condemns the racist ‘March for Australia’ protests held over the weekend. Every person, regardless of their cultural background, deserves to feel safe and included. We also condemn the unprovoked assault on Camp Sovereignty that followed the protest. This assault targeted a space that represents First Nations’ resistance, survival and ongoing struggles for justice.
The chants and slogans at these rallies, demanding the exclusion of migrants and division of communities, were dangerous, racist and designed to spread fear. We are deeply alarmed by the rise of far-right extremism, especially after more than 100 Nazis were allowed to march openly through Melbourne without intervention. Actions like these normalise hate and embolden violent ideologies.
Such protests are rooted in racism and ethnocentrism and have no place in our society. Multiculturalism is a vital and celebrated part of our communities. The narratives promoted by far-right groups attempt to fracture our communities, dictate who belongs and impose a narrow and distorted version of our identity.
Many of the people we work alongside, including our clients, community members, partners and staff, come from communities that are frequently singled out by racist and exclusionary rhetoric, including First Nations peoples, migrants, refugees and people of colour. When demonstrations like these take place, the harm is not abstract. Such demonstrations generate further hostility in everyday life, reopen painful experiences for those who have already endured persecution and chip away at the fundamental expectation that everyone should feel safe and welcomed where they live.
FLS’s commitment to justice means we will not accept attempts to vilify migrants or depict our cultural diversity as the cause of society’s difficulties. Challenges like unaffordable housing, increasing living costs and widening inequality cannot be solved by spreading hate or deepening division.
We support and welcome all people in our community, regardless of race, religion, nationality or immigration status.
We know that the vast majority of you do too.
Join us by speaking out against this movement and sending a strong message that such views have no place in our community.
