Australia’s race discrimination commissioner has warned of the rising threat of white supremacy following a neo-Nazi rally in regional New South Wales.
About 50 people — masked, dressed in black and brandishing a neo-Nazi banner that read “white man fight back” — held a demonstration in front of a war memorial in the small border town of Corowa on Saturday.
The incident stunned residents and sparked condemnation from local, state and federal leaders from all sides of politics.
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But to Giridharan Sivaraman, the rise of the far-right wasn’t surprising.
“This is what happens when we refuse to properly name and confront the extent of racism that is ingrained across our society,” the race discrimination commissioner said in a statement today.
“These rallies are a horrific manifestation of what happens when racism is normalised — to the extent that neo-Nazis are emboldened to be on the streets as a threatening force.”
Sivaraman warned that white supremacy is a “threat that must be taken seriously” and called for a national strategy.
“If we really want to target these and other similar threats, the only way forward is national anti-racism action that addresses the roots of white supremacy and all forms of racism in Australia,” he said.
“It is the ultimate antidote to racism and its violence.
“By taking anti-racism action, equality, dignity and respect may one day be a reality for everyone in Australia — no matter a person’s racial, cultural or religious background.”
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The Australian Human Rights Commission will call on the federal government to lead national action against racism in November, following the release of its National Anti-Racism Framework.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said Saturday’s neo-Nazi rally was “completely despicable”.
“We have a very simple message for these far right extremists and neo-Nazis, who are not from our state — you’re not welcome in NSW and any attempts to spread hate here will be met with the full force of NSW Police,” he wrote in a statement on X.
“This should serve as a clear reminder that this behaviour is not acceptable in our state.”
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https://twitter.com/ChrisMinnsMP/status/1845312184639008934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
No arrests have been made as police continue to investigate Saturday’s gathering.
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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