Anti-Islam, racism protestors set to clash

Anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters are set to clash in Melbourne as both hold rallies at the same venue.

Reclaim Australia Rallies will be held across the country on April 4, calling on the federal government to ensure the "Australian way of life is retained" and Sharia Law isn't introduced.

The Melbourne rally will be held at Federation Square.

In response, Rally Against Racism activists plan to occupy the space intended to be used by Reclaim Australia.

Rally Against Racism organiser Mel Gregson the goal of the anti-Islamic rally was "to spread Islamophobic hatred and lies".

"We don't think its acceptable to attack people on the basis of their religion," she said in a statement on Thursday.

"We don't want to see hate crimes against Muslims, refugees or immigrants increase because racists are rallying on the streets of Melbourne."

In a press release published on their Facebook page, Reclaim Australia denies that those involved are part of a racist hate group, instead describing themselves as "simply patriotic".

"For the first time in our recent history Australians have now been exposed to hostage sieges, attacks on police and service people, foiled beheading and bombing attacks here on our soil," the press release says.

"As a result Military and service uniforms may no longer be worn off duty in public because of security issues linked only to one group - the so-called `radicals of Islam'."