In a significant development, a man has been charged with inciting hatred following an anti-immigration rally in Sydney, where he allegedly made comments aligned with neo-Nazi ideology. The incident occurred during a March for Australia event, which saw thousands of participants across Sydney and Melbourne, coinciding with Invasion Day rallies.
Charges Laid After Antisemitic Speech
New South Wales police have taken action against a 31-year-old man who delivered an antisemitic speech at the Sydney rally. According to authorities, the man, wearing a black T-shirt featuring a Celtic cross—a known neo-Nazi symbol—and carrying an Australian flag, made a series of inflammatory remarks during an open mic session. The police allege that his language was unequivocally aligned with neo-Nazi beliefs and incited hatred towards a specific community group.
The man has been formally charged with publicly inciting hatred on the grounds of race and causing fear. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in court. Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden of NSW Police stated that the man's presence and words elicited a response from the crowd, generating hate and fear.
Rally Details and Neo-Nazi Presence
An estimated 2,000 people participated in the March for Australia rally in Sydney, with hundreds more joining a similar event in Melbourne. Police worked diligently to keep these groups separate from the concurrent Invasion Day rallies. While neo-Nazis were not overtly visible, some attendees wore plain clothes, and observers noted individuals with Nazi insignias in the crowds.
In Melbourne, two men were seen wearing the Black Sun or sonnenrad insignia, and one had tattoos of Nordic runes, symbols often used by neo-Nazis. Additionally, a man distributed flyers for a white supremacist online news site. Organisers in Sydney reported that police escorted away individuals recognised as former members of the National Socialist Network (NSN), a prominent neo-Nazi movement in Australia.
Connections to Neo-Nazi Figures
The charged man concluded his speech with chants of "Free Joel Davis. Heil White Australia. Heil Thomas Sewell." Thomas Sewell, a former neo-Nazi leader, is currently facing multiple charges, including allegations of leading an attack on a sacred First Nations site in Melbourne. He is banned from entering Melbourne's CBD as part of his bail conditions.
Another speaker at the Sydney rally urged donations for Sewell, claiming he had raised $150,000 for a legal challenge against new federal hate speech laws. Joel Davis, another former NSN member, is on remand for allegedly threatening federal MP Allegra Spender. Many rally participants chanted for Davis's release, highlighting the interconnectedness of these figures within the far-right movement.
Political Context and Broader Protests
The rallies occurred against a backdrop of political tension, with new hate speech legislation being introduced in federal parliament. The NSN had announced its disbandment prior to this legislation, which could have designated it as a terrorist group. In Brisbane, a separate right-wing event featured Pauline Hanson, the longtime One Nation leader, who was greeted enthusiastically by supporters. She addressed topics such as climate change and anti-hate laws, underscoring the diverse political sentiments at play.
NSW police confirmed that one person was served with a public safety order and removed from the Sydney event, demonstrating ongoing efforts to manage public safety at such gatherings.
