Anti-racism protesters clash with police outside Melbourne court

Protesters have descended on Melbourne Magistrates’ Court calling out the “racist” members of the far-right United Patriots Front (UPF) who are facing a hearing.

UPF leader Blair Cottrell, 35, and supporters Neil Erikson, 32, and Christopher Neil Shortis, 46, are facing racial vilification charges over the mock beheading of an effigy at a protest against a mosque in Bendigo in 2015.

The trio is accused of defacing a footpath and garden bed wall at the Bendigo council offices, wilful damage, making a video aiming to incite contempt for Muslims, and behaving in an offensive manner.

Anti-racism protesters chanted “no Nazis, never again” and held placards outside court today, clashing with UPF supporters and the heavy police presence who attempted to hold them back.

Traffic was temporarily halted on Melbourne's busy William Street in the CBD as the groups traded barbs.

One UPF supporter wore a Go-Pro strapped to a faux bullet-proof vest.

The UPF has previously called for donations to cover Cottrell's court costs for what it labelled an "unprecedented battle for free speech".

The UPF describes itself as a "patriotic street movement", and opposes Islamic immigration and the building of mosques.

More to come.