Anti-immigration group asked followers before Anzac Day if they would boo welcome to country ceremonies

An anti-immigration group asked followers how loud they would be booing welcome to country ceremonies at Anzac Day dawn services before multiple events were disrupted on Saturday. But the group has denied orchestrating a campaign, despite doubling down on its criticism of what it called “woke rituals”. Booing by right-wing groups of Indigenous elders giving welcome to country speeches marred Anzac Day ceremonies for a second year running, and sparked another public debate about their role at public events. Uncle Ray Minniecon, who served in the armed forces nd was booed while giving a welcome at Sydney’s dawn service, said the mocking was “unexpected and unnecessary, but it happens”. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email “Why do people hate us so much? What crime did we commit that brings this out from people? What did we do wrong to them? It’s mysterious to us,” Minniecon said on Sky News. Opposition to welcome to country ceremonies was encouraged by Fight for Australia, described by its leader as the “sister group” of March for Australia, which has staged major anti-immigration rallies across Australia . Guardian Australia reported on Friday that Fight for Australia had encouraged supporters to contact local RSL branches to ask welcomes to country not be included in Anzac Day ceremonies. …