Many of the alleged offenders wore face coverings at the protest.
Last year, Premier Jacinta Allan promised to ban face masks and balaclavas at protests. But the proposal, introduced to parliament on Wednesday, was watered down over the prospect of court challenges and potential opposition from Labor Party faithful.
Last week, a 24-year-old Corio man was charged with multiple offences – including assaulting a police officer and discharging a missile – after allegedly throwing a rock at a police officer. The man will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 20.
Police at the protest on Sunday October 19.Credit: Paul Jeffers
Both officers injured at the protest have returned to work. A female sergeant in her 40s will require ongoing rehabilitation to regain movement in her hand after she was kicked by protesters. A male senior constable received stitches for a cut on his leg.
Counter-protester representatives, responding to allegations by police that they were violent, said it was police officers who injured protesters while facilitating “the racist, hateful demonstration” of anti-immigration protesters.
With Marta Pascual Juanola
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