Safety fears for Meagher's accused killer

The man accused of raping and killing Melbourne woman Jill Meagher will receive Victoria's highest level of protection in jail amid fears for his safety.

It come as thousands of people marched down the street where the Irish ABC employee was last seen alive.

The 29-year-old's death has been met with fury, with some prisoners wanting to kill Adrian Ernest Bayley, while others have prayed for her during a church service at the Metropolitan Remand Centre (MRC), The Herald Sun reported.

Bayley is in danger from fellow inmates because of the nature of the case, and may be moved as early as today, the paper said.

The major offenders' unit, which handles high-profile and gangland inmates, has been assigned to handle his placement. Bayley is likely to be transferred to the MRC or Barwon Prison.

Bayley, 41, of Coburg was arrested last Thursday afternoon and has been charged with Ms Meagher's rape and murder.

He is in custody awaiting a committal mention hearing on January 18.

Yesterday's march through the streets of Melbourne was designed to protest against violence throughout the community.

Families with young children, couples and groups of friends - most of whom never knew Meagher but shared in the horror of her alleged abduction and murder last weekend - formed a crowd stretching well over a kilometre that marched along Brunswick's Sydney Rd.

Many carried flowers, photos of Meagher and placards with slogans urging peace and harmony.

Local resident Philip Werner, who organised the event, led the march, holding a banner that read "Choosing peace, hope, non-violence and solidarity with all women".

Werner said he felt compelled to unite the Melbourne community following the ABC staffer's death after she disappeared on a short walk home from the popular Brunswick St nightlife precinct.

"When I saw the news that Jill's body had been found [on Friday] ... it really struck me, and I just wanted to get together with people in a show of solidarity and peaceful, quiet defiance to say we're not going to cower in fear, and we're not going to give up hope for society," he said.

Werner said he felt humbled by the massive turnout, which saw police close Sydney Rd to traffic for several blocks.

"I thought there might be 10 people here ... what's great is everyone's here of their own accord," he said.

Maureen Roberts, 67, who marched with her husband, Tony, held roses and wore an orange, green and white scarf in a tribute to Meagher's Irish homeland.

"My heart just aches for Jill and her family, and we just felt we had to be here, it's very moving," Roberts said.

Police at the rally struggled to estimate the size of the crowd, but one officer directing traffic said numbers had swelled to "tens of thousands".

- AAP