After they arrived at Carlton Gardens at noon, the pro-trans protesters yelled at assembled media to “f–k off” and threw an umbrella at one journalist. The group then dispersed.
About 50 people gathered near the steps of Parliament House for the women’s rights rally.
The small gathering was flanked by police officers and the mounted branch on either side.
“There’s not an area of public life that gender identity doesn’t destroy in relation to women’s rights,” rally organiser Jasmine Sussex told the group.
Two sets of barriers separated the Women Will Speak rally from a smaller group of 20 pro-trans protesters who had not been redirected from Spring Street.
The smaller group of counter-protesters banged drums and blew bubbles while chanting “too many coppers, not enough justice”.
At 1pm, the women’s rights rally finished, and counter-protesters were instructed to leave the area at 1.25pm as barriers were removed.