You’ve probably seen posts about the so-called ‘March for Australia’ protests happening around the country on August 31. We debated whether or not to cover it. The marches have murky beginnings but are steeped in racism, and neo-Nazis are supporting it. Do we give it airtime, and play into their hands? Or do we ignore it, and hope it goes away? Given the mainstream media coverage and non-stop social posts, we’ve chosen to give it airtime, to arm you with the facts and — particularly for our readers from migrant communities — to stay safe.
On August 31, a series of anti-migration protests, known as “March For Australia”, are set to unfold across major Australian cities. These rallies are not happening in isolation. They arrive during an anxious moment — just days after Melbourne witnessed around 100 masked neo-Nazis parade through its CBD.
For many, this confluence signals a country at a crossroads, confronting the resurgence of far-right extremism both globally and at home.
Rising right-wing extremism
Australia is no stranger to divisive politics. But recent events have pushed the nation into unwelcome territory. The Melbourne neo-Nazi march, whose organisers, the National Socialist Network (NSN), have also declared broader political ambitions, is the most brazen in years.
There is a global surge in right-wing extremist rhetoric and mobilisations, echoing patterns witnessed across Europe and North America.
Their message is no longer confined to the online fringes — now, it’s marching down central city streets and seeping into public debate.
What is the ‘March For Australia’?
The protests promote themselves as rallies for “ordinary Australians” seeking an end to “mass immigration”. Organisers have emphasised peaceful intentions, insisting the day “is not intended to incite hate or violence”, and distancing themselves from known extremist political groups.
In a public post, spokespersons noted [which we’ve chosen not to name or link to]: “It would be very convenient for the government and the lobbies that push for endless migration into this country if this day turned violent; it would give them an easy excuse to dismiss the millions of Australians who want an end to mass immigration by labelling us as ‘violent’.”
Yet the campaign’s association with far-right online accounts and its prominence among nationalist and white advocacy groups has heightened fears that its impact could reach beyond a peaceful march.
Who’s organising the ‘March For Australia’?
The origins of “March For Australia” are deliberately obscured. The earliest online mentions appeared as videos and posts from low-follower right-wing TikTok accounts. Despite their small following, these clips rapidly gained traction — sometimes hundreds of thousands of views — showing just how quickly divisive ideas can spread with the help of social media algorithms and sometimes coordinated digital pushes. In less than a week, chatter about the march snowballed into mainstream attention, with public confusion over who was involved and why.
As coverage grew, extremist voices tried to latch on to the movement. The NSN, founded by neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell claimed involvement and attempted to take credit for the protest, though official organisers have denied any connection.
To add another layer, conservative creators like Auspill and Bec Freedom have helped spread the march’s message online. (However, they are not inherently endorsing the more extremist viewpoints now linked to the march.)
MP Bob Katter is also followed by the group’s Facebook page and recently posted a video supporting the march, asking Australians to “unite” and saying that “we will throw everything behind the Sunday march on the 31st of August”.
This public fight over control has left observers asking: if far-right figures want in, what does that say about the wider appeal of the movement? Even if the march billing says “Australian pride”, the support from known hate groups and nationalist influencers has made many view the event with alarm.
As journalist Scobie Mckay writes for Crikey, “Whether they lead it or not, the NSN’s presence ensures the March for Australia will be a litmus test for how far the post-pandemic right is willing to go in embracing open white supremacy.”
Yet there’s still no clear leadership. The official website launched only weeks before the planned rallies and offers little about who’s in charge or what will actually happen on the day.
The confusion around who is truly organising the event — given the lack of clear leadership and contradictory messages — means it’s difficult to verify intentions or potential risks. Vague messaging allows organisers to deflect responsibility or claim innocence if controversy erupts.
Police response to the ‘March For Australia’
PEDESTRIAN.TV reached out to state and territory police forces to see what involvement they have in the matter. NSW Police said they “are aware of the social media post; however, at this time a Form 1 — a notice of intention to hold a public assembly — has not been submitted”.
Queensland Police similarly noted that “they have not received a Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly in Brisbane”.
Victoria Police is monitoring developments: “We are continuing to monitor the intelligence regarding this activity. We ask organisers to engage with police about their plans so we can ensure the protest is conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner.”
South Australian authorities and ACT Policing have echoed these sentiments, affirming the right to peaceful assembly but drawing a clear line at disorder. “The disruption of business activity or other criminal activity will not be tolerated.”
As the national conversation shifts, who is at risk?
The upcoming rallies have already set off debate and anxiety — particularly for migrants, multicultural communities, and those long targeted by extremist rhetoric. Commentators and activists warn these protests risk becoming a flashpoint.
“By speaking about white supremacist movements, we aren’t giving them authority,” Cheek Media founder, Hannah Ferguson said on TikTok.
“We need to be having these conversations because they pose a risk to the safety of so many minority groups.”
Ferguson points out that while the movement has no clear leadership, the language used online draws on themes of division, unity and nationalism. “Every part of these posts that we’ve seen, is sinister. And what it’s pointing to is one thing: the idea blatantly of white supremacy,” she said.
“These statements do not point towards peaceful demonstration. They are a clear indication, a clear communication of the inflammation of hate speech in Australia.”
Criticisms also come from socialist advocate and former political candidate Jordan Van Den Lamb aka Purple Pingers, who observed, “If you look into the details of this march, they’re using Nazi talking points like ‘the great replacement theory’ to campaign against migration.
“The website that they’re using to coordinate the event was created on the 8th of August, the 8th of the 8th, coinciding with the NSN’s conference that day and also being a code for ‘heil the moustache man’ [aka Hitler].
“Already, I’ve seen videos where migrants are warning other migrants to stay safe on August 31, asking others to tell family members and friends to be wary on that day.”
And he’s right. Many migrants have taken to social media to warn each other to stay safe on August 31. TikTok user Dita warned viewers, “Let your family members know, let your boss know about your whereabouts, because there will be a protest happening in every city in Australia where people will march for and support the idea of mass deportation of immigrants.
“I don’t believe this will be a peaceful protest, I believe people will be marching with banners with racial slurs everywhere.”
Van Den Lamb also flags that although far right extremists groups should not be platformed, this instance should not serve as an excuse for stricter anti-protest laws.
“If introduced, the laws proposed would do nothing to stop the growth of the fascist right. However, they would be used to suppress left-wing protests, like the protests for Palestine,” said Van Den Lamb.
“The calls from the police and the major parties should be opposed. The police already have far too much power. If they wanted to, they could have stopped the Nazi protest in its tracks, like they do violently to anti-genocide protesters.”
As much as creators are warning people in good faith, there is no denying that the line between promotion and caution is a tricky one to walk when it comes to covering anti-migration and white supremacy.
Digital observers warn that events like these can rapidly gain attention online, often amplified by bots or paid promotion before most people are even aware.
As noted by Archie Milligan for The National Account, “Would these videos randomly talking about a ‘march’ that at the time no one had thought of rationally pick up half a million views? And when it comes to those view counts, how do we know that they’re Australian? We don’t.
“When this is all over, expect supporters of the “march” to say things that will make it look like a success no matter what. If there’s a big turnout, they’ll say that that’s proof of public support. People should then ask how many of those people were marching for the same reasons,” continued Milligan.
“Say only what’s absolutely necessary, because there’s nothing more these groups hate than being ignored.”
The story of August 31 is bigger than any single event. It’s a test of how Australia responds to threats against inclusion, dignity, and social harmony. As the world watches, the way political leaders, media, and everyday Australians approach these rallies will define the nation’s values in a turbulent moment.
Lead image: TikTok
The post The Sinister Story Behind The August 31 Marches Planned For Australia appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
