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Arrests after hundreds rallied against right-wing Nigel Farage in Melbourne’s CBD

A thin blue line of police keep Nigel Farage's supporters and protesters apart in Melbourne on Friday night.

A thin blue line of police keep Nigel Farage's supporters and protesters apart in Melbourne on Friday night. Photo: AAP/James Ross

Five people have been arrested during a large protest in Melbourne against a speaking tour by conservative UK politician Nigel Farage.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Sofitel on Collins Street on Friday night where the former leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party gave his last Australian tour speech.

Five people were arrested – one for criminal damage, another for riotous behaviour and a third for covering their face and assaulting police.

Two others, a man and a woman, were arrested for unrelated outstanding matters, police said.

At least 100 officers policed the event, and were forced to intervene in confrontations between people trying to attend and protesters, led by the Coalition Against Racism and Fascism (CARF).

Demonstrators chanted “Nigel Farage you can’t hide, we can see your Nazi side” and “Nazis are racist, Muslims are not”.

Anti-feminist blogger Andrew Nolch, the man charged with defacing the Eurydice Dixon memorial after the young woman’s recent rape and murder, was one of those entering the event.

Convicted criminal and fair-right activist Neil Erikson was also seen entering.

A protest organiser told the crowd the event succeeded in reducing the attendance at the event.

-AAP

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