Rival Sydney protests turn violent

Clashes between pro-diversity protesters and police have turned violent in Sydney.

Crowds pushed police along Macquarie St from Martin Place, knocking batons from police belts before officers forced them back.

About 250 people aligned with the Refugee Action Coalition, including parents with young children on their shoulders, chanted pro-diversity and pro-demonstration slogans.

"Next time we are going to make sure we have the numbers to demonstrate no matter what police say," one man called over a loudspeaker.

"See you next time in Cronulla."

At a rival rally at the opposite end of Martin Place, Reclaim Australia protesters held two minutes silence - broken by calls of `Aussie, Aussie, Aussie' - for victims of terrorism worldwide.

"What is the point in our dedicated Australian soldiers going to wars overseas and losing lives to keep our Australian values ...when our government don't respect the sacrifice they're making," Reclaim Australia speaker Clare Smith said.

Dozens of police, including mounted and riot squad officers kept the rival groups separate.

At least one person was arrested after allegedly graffitiing a memorial, a NSW Police spokesman said.