Groups dressed in black with faces covered hold banners reading “No black votes should count,” “No Muslim votes should count,” “Only Aussie votes should count”

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Australian authorities have launched an investigation after racist and Islamophobic banners displayed in Melbourne during the country’s federal election day sparked outrage, SBS News reports.

Victoria Police confirmed the probe, saying groups dressed in black with face coverings were seen on several overpasses along Melbourne’s Monash Freeway. The individuals held banners with slogans such as “No black votes should count,” “No Muslim votes should count,” and “Only Aussie votes should count.”

The banners sparked outrage across the country, with Muslim Australians describing the incident as disturbing and harmful to young community members.

“Imagine having a little Asian child [or] a Muslim child in the back of a seat just driving with your family on a Saturday morning, and then you just see this racism,” one local Muslim told the broadcaster.