Australian here. This event was organised by extreme right-wing xenophobic neo-fascist groups like the anti-immigration Australian Defence League and the fringe lunatic Christian political party Rise Up Australia. They were NOT rallying against Islamic extremism. They were rallying against Islam, period.

Even the Australian Atheist Foundation put out a statement about it.

These people want to ban companies from labeling their food products with the halal certification logo. They are spreading myths about Muslims trying to ban Christian holidays like Easter (which isn't actually happening). They want the government to ban new mosques from being built. They want to ban Muslim women from wearing the hijab, niqab and burqa. They want Australia to stop accepting refugees. They want to curb non-British immigration. They want the teaching of Judeo-Christian "values" to be mandatory in all Australian schools. They want to force young children to recite a pledge to the Australian flag at the beginning of each school day with their hands over their hearts (sorry 'mericans but das creepy as fuck).

At the rally in my city one of the speakers went on a rant against the United Nations because of the UN's constant criticism of the Australian government's treatment of refugees. Don't fool yourself into thinking that the intentions of the organisers have nothing to do with race/ethnicity.

If somebody wants to organise a protest that is genuinely aimed at extremism and not an entire community of people, then I'd be happy to join them. Remove the xenophobia and neo-nationalism from the picture and start addressing legitimate confections, and I'll be there.