Marchers at Perth’s Invasion Day rally told to evacuate due to ‘reports of a threat’

Parts of Perth’s Invasion Day rally crowd have been told to disperse by police over concerns someone had thrown something dangerous into the crowd.

Thousands are marching at the rally, being held at Forrest Chase. At the same time, an opposing rally, March for Australia, encouraging Australians to embrace the date of the public holiday, is being held at the other end of the city.

The Invasion Day group continues to march towards the river, with many seemingly unaware of police with megaphones telling the crowd, “There is something in the crowd that poses a risk to your safety”.

WA Police have since confirmed they are responding to reports of a threat at Forrest Place, and an exclusion zone has been established, and one person in custody.

“Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area and await further advice,” a police statement read.

There is something in the crowd that poses a risk to your safety.

Thousands of protesters have descended on the Perth CBD this afternoon with two separate rallies being held to mark the Australia Day public holiday.

The March for Australia rally saw another group of protesters gather at Wellington Square from noon.

According to a Facebook page promoting the event, this year’s Perth March for Australia rally appears to focus more on Australia Day and keeping the public holiday on the traditional date.

The crowd of around 1000, many draped in Australian flags, chanted, ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’, as One Nation WA leader Rod Caddies spoke.

“Where are the Liberals, where is Labor, where are the Nats?,” he asked.

“They are not here because they are too afraid, but not One Nation. Let me tell you what we’re fighting for – the right for free speech.”

Similar rallies have already begun in other major capital cities around Australia as thousands use the national holiday to express their views.

In Sydney, an Invasion Day rally at Hyde Park opened with a tribute to the victims of the Lake Cargelligo shooting.

Photos of the victims Sophie Quinn, who was pregnant when she was allegedly murdered, her partner John Harris and Sophie’s aunt Nerida Quinn, were displayed at the protest.

In Melbourne, both rallies were several thousand people strong, with the Invasion Day march estimated to be at least twice the size of the March for Australia.

January 26, the day Governor Arthur Phillip ran up the British flag at Sydney Cove, is officially Australia Day, but many around the country mark the date as “Invasion Day”, recognising the dispossession of Indigenous Australians.

A WA Police spokeswoman said a strong presence would be maintained by local officers for the rallies.

“Police continue to monitor individuals and groups who may pose a risk to public safety and will intervene where conduct becomes criminal or disorderly in nature,” she said.

“A highly visible policing presence will be maintained at a number of locations to support safe and peaceful events for everyone.

“While there is no intelligence to suggest any heightened threat in WA, these high visibility patrols are in place to provide reassurance and demonstrate our commitment to keeping the community safe and preventing harm.”

The spokeswoman added that the WA Police Force respects the rights of individuals to express their views and will only intervene when a protest becomes unlawful, disorderly, or poses a risk to public safety.