The (BRTLC) has spoken out against a group of about 35 masked men wearing black, who marched through the centre of Ballarat on December 3, with a banner sporting the words: 鈥淎ustralia for the white man鈥.
The date marks聽the anniversary of the Eureka Blockade.
The BRTLC, which聽organised a peaceful inclusive dawn service to mark the occasion, condemned the聽鈥渃owardly鈥 fascists. It said the BRTLC said it will 鈥渘ever allow鈥 the far right to co-opt the symbols of Eureka: 鈥渢hey belong to everyone who stands for justice, democracy, liberty and freedom for all鈥.
鈥淥ur movement carried the story and the symbols since 1956 in Ballarat through [the] times 鈥 and we carry the true spirit of Eureka and the sacrifice of so many men and women who were killed to fight oppression and tyranny of the Eureka lead.鈥
The BRTLC said the Eureka flag represents the 鈥渂est of our multicultural nation鈥, and is a refuge 鈥渇or all people, regardless of their faith, colour and creed鈥.
The BRTLC聽said the working people of Ballarat will聽never welcome fascists.