Neo-Nazis on the march in Adelaide
EXCLUSIVE: A masked group which marched past a city refugee protest carrying a neo-Nazi flag and a banner proclaiming “Australia for the white man” broke no laws, say SA Police – but the Attorney General has condemned it as an “absolute disgrace”. Watch the video.
A city protest by refugees demanding a pathway to permanent residency was targeted on Sunday afternoon by a group of men wearing identical black clothing and holding a flag associated with Australian neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Network.
Video of the incident obtained by InDaily shows the encounter outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building on Franklin Street, where the refugee group has been protesting.
A man with a megaphone leads two lines of men – most concealing their identities with face coverings, sunglasses and hoodies and brandishing the NSN flag along with a large banner – past the refugee group and police officers.
The National Socialist Network is a far-right group that is reportedly Australia’s largest white supremacist organisation. NSN members gathered in Sydney earlier this year on Australia Day and joined anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull on the steps of the Victorian Parliament last year.
Victorian NSN members also reportedly attempted to disrupt a refugee protest in Melbourne last month.
SA Police officers were present at Sunday’s incident, but took no action.
In a statement, SAPOL said it monitored protest activity in the Adelaide CBD on Sunday and “did not observe the commission of offences”.
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“SA Police continue to monitor individuals and groups who may seek to incite violence in the community,” it said.
“SAPOL work with organisers of public activities to ensure the safety of all involved.
“Any information regarding individuals or groups who seek to incite violence within the community is treated seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
The masked men walk down Franklin Street on Sunday. Image: Supplied.
The state government recently banned public displays of the Nazi salute and Nazi symbols. Under the new laws, people found publicly displaying the Nazi swastika or performing the salute could be fined up to $20,000 or sent to jail for up to a year.
Sahra Saberi, who was supporting the protestors calling for more support for refugees stuck on temporary visas, said the neo-Nazi group’s presence was “quite scary”.
“They were covering their entire face and body, so they were quite scary, and they came along with such a brutal message,” Saberi said.
“It did cause some fear for some of the refugees.”
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Saberi said one was left shaking after the encounter.
“I’ve been in Australia for the last 12 years. I learned that I am going to respect everybody. This is the most disrespectful thing I’ve seen so far in the last 12 years of my life in Australia,” she said.
“I don’t think this is only disrespecting to the refugees; this is disrespectful to the entire country and the entire multicultural community. It’s not only targeting refugees, it’s targeting every individual in the community from a different background.”
Attorney General Kyam Maher said “most South Australians would agree that these scenes are an absolute disgrace”.
“The people hiding their identities are cowards,” he said.
“Australia is an inclusive, welcoming place that embraces diversity in all its forms.
“There is no place for this kind of activity.”
Maher said that under the new laws, “a symbol associated with the Nazis, or Nazi ideology, can be captured”.
“We will of course consider any advice from our police and intelligence agencies and if we need to ban more symbols of hateful ideologies we won’t hesitate to act.”
Greens MLC Robert Simms described the footage as “disturbing”.
“It’s shocking to see that happening on the streets of Adelaide,” he said.
“Racism should have no place in South Australia.”
