> a crowd of about 50 counter-protesters has gathered at olympic park oval, across from the entrance to the australian open in melbourne. > public access to the grounds is currently closed, with the womens doubles final not due to start until 3pm. > the group marched down olympic boulevard to australian music blaring from four large speakers mounted on a trolley. most of the protesters are waving large australian flags. > several people at the rally are also carrying the australian red ensign and the eureka flag. > among those in attendance is melbourne white supremacist jacob hersant, who became the first person in victoria charged with performing the nazi salute, six days after the gesture was outlawed in law. > hersant also made headlines in november after it emerged he was allegedly part of a group who dressed in ku klux klan costumes and intimidated young women in a hardware store car park.
Australia