Pauline Hanson slams parliament suspension at anti-immigration rally in Melbourne
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has criticized her suspension from parliament for wearing a burqa while speaking at an anti-immigration rally in Melbourne.
While protesters descended on Flagstaff Gardens for the Put Australia First protest on Sunday, a pro-immigration counter-protest also moved through the city.
Speaking at the rally, Senator Hanson denied being “divisive”.
“I just want to bring people together to be proud of who we are and to live in peace and harmony,” he said.
A counter-protester was soon heard shouting “go home Pauline”, followed by jeers from the crowd.
Senator Hanson went on to condemn “being shut down for having an opinion.”
“Don’t cover them because they may be different from you, like they did to me in parliament this week, because I dare to wear the burqa,” she said.
In a separate video from the speech, Senator Hanson said: “Australian flags are flying proudly.”
“Seeing people from different cultural backgrounds out there, I can see just by looking at you that we are all Australians together,” he said.
“I welcome people who come here to find a new life for themselves, their families and future generations.”
A large police presence separated the opposing groups, which included members of the riot police.
The Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance (WACA) welcomed the door-kicker and said “Ms Hanson has been banging for decades.”
In the statement made on the group’s Instagram, it was stated: “No violence. No threats. Just voices louder than fear mongering and a wall of solidarity stronger than their lies.”
Senator Hanson was suspended from parliament earlier this week after wearing a burqa to the Senate in a display that was widely condemned.
On Saturday, he was in Queensland to support his party’s Hinchinbrook by-election candidate and had dinner with the mayor of Townsville.
