Police have charged two men after a neo-Nazi rally in front of the Victorian Parliament.
More than 200 officers were deployed on Saturday to monitor the “anti-immigration protest” in the city and separate about 25 neo-Nazis from counter-protesters.
The rally was condemned by Victoria Police, the Victorian government and the state opposition.
Two men were arrested during the rally, which started before midday, and both were charged on Sunday.
A 20-year-old Werribee man was charged with assaulting police and discharging a missile. He is expected to be summoned to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
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A 30-year-old Doreen man was charged with theft, attempted theft, assaulting police and resisting police. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 21.
The rally came less than two months after fascists gate-crashed an “anti-trans rights” rally on the steps of the Victorian Parliament.
Spring Street was closed for much of Saturday after Victoria Police declared the CBD and the parliament gardens a designated area between 7am and 7pm, giving officers the power to search any people, their possessions and cars in the area for weapons.