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Wild scenes as far-left protesters clash with cops at far-right event in Melbourne

Protesters tell members of Lauren Southern's arriving audience exactly what they think of them.

Protesters tell members of Lauren Southern's arriving audience exactly what they think of them. Photo: AAP/Stefan Postles

Protesters have clashed with riot and mounted police outside a Melbourne venue hosting far-right Canadian provocateur Lauren Southern.

More than 100 protesters blocked the Hume Highway outside Somerton’s La Mirage Reception and Convention Centre ahead of Ms Southern’s Friday night event.

At one point, the group rushed at a bus filled with attendees, slapping it and chanting “surround the Nazi bus” while being mooned by a man inside it.

Later, inside the auditorium, a protester who had penetrated the security cordon rushed the stage and had to be subdued by security.

Three other protesters also attempted to disrupt the proceedings with banners and chanting “racism off out streets”, according to the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance group.

The young provocateur is known for her controversial views on multiculturalism, Islam and feminism and was banned in March from entering the UK.

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The Campaign Against Racism and Fascism says Southern is “a notorious racist and Islamophobe”.

“She is known for her involvement in the racist attempts to obstruct NGO search-and-rescue boats trying to help shipwrecked migrants in the Mediterranean,” the group said in Facebook statement.

Ms Southern denies the charge and claims to have been cleared by Italian investigators.

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A blue ring of police guard audience members arriving at Broadmeadows train station. Photo: AAP

Back outside, right-wing activist Neil Erikson filmed protesters before being hauled away from police.

He and two other men are charged with affray and riot over an incident outside an event by controversial commentator Milo Yiannopoulos last year.

On Friday night, anti-Southern protesters blocked the Hume Hwy and police attempted to subdued them with pepper spray before surrounding the group against a fence.

Victoria Police is reportedly charging Ms Southern more than $67,000 for their presence at the event.

-AAP

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