It became a protest about everything.
One wore a shark costume. Others danced in the street. There were teachers, union leaders, animal lovers, even a radical wanting a police stand-off, and his counterpoint wanting to give police a hug.
The Melbourne version of a nationwide ''March for March'' rally saw an estimated 30,000 people spill into the Treasury Gardens on Sunday, demanding action on a mixed bag of hot-button matters.
''This protest is so community-focused,'' said Van Badham, who spoke at the rally. ''It taps into this real sense of displacement and moral anger, which is quite unusual.''
The event began as a Facebook discussion and quickly ignited interest. Rallies were held in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane, too, with protesters heading to Canberra on Monday to deliver a notice of no confidence to the federal government.
Melbourne organiser Jenni James, 59, said many were angry about events since the election. ''They're not listening to us. They're lying to us. And there are a lot of people here who have never been in a protest in their life,'' she said.
One of them was Jemma Gibcus, who voiced concerns about offshore detention.
No one was arrested or injured.
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