Far-right extremist Thomas Sewell, leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN), stormed a press conference held by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday morning (September 2nd), accusing the state government of suppressing the right to protest in Australia.
The confrontation was tense as New Zealand-born Sewell shouted at the Premier before being restrained by security. Allan and other representatives quickly left the scene.
“Why don’t you think Australians should have the right to protest,” he yelled multiple times. “Why do you want to ban us for protesting? Shouldn’t we have the right to speak in our own country, you coward?
“You’re a coward, and we’re going to take this country back from politicians like you.”
As security restrained him, he became agitated, yelling “don’t put your fucking hands on me.”
Sewell claimed there were 50,000 people involved in the March for Australia on Sunday (August 31st), which protested against immigration in Australia. Victoria Police estimated attendance in Melbourne was 5,000.
His gatecrash is the latest fall-out from Sunday’s March for Australia, which has also seen attacks against counter-protests including a pro-Palestine rally, as well as an attack against Camp Sovereignty, an Aboriginal burial site in Melbourne. Sewell was among those who stormed the camp, which resulted in four camp demonstrators being injured, two of whom were taken to hospital with severe head injuries.
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Earlier in her press conference, Allan said there is “absolutely no place” for the violence that occurred on the weekend.
Victoria’s Parliament is currently debating changes to protest laws, but the proposed changes relate to things like face coverings and do not include removing the right to protest.
Meanwhile in NSW, White Australia’s leader Jack Eltis, a self-confessed neo-Nazi, could face serious charges over his speech made at the Sydney demonstration, where up to 8,000 people attended. It is a criminal offence in NSW to intentionally and publicly incite racial hatred, with a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
Eltis made White Australia’s ideology clear: “Send them back, no debate, no discussion, we want to send them back to their land.” He told media the men in his organisation “are proud to be racist”.
NSW Police are currently investigating the speeches made at the rally, after consultation with NSW Premier Chris Minns. He called the demonstration “divisive”, saying: “If you’re going to a rally and the Nazis turn up, it’s not one you should be at.”
Several politicians joined the marches across Australia, including One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson and Federal MP Bob Katter. Liberal frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also offered her support for the cause, telling Sky News she wanted to “congratulate” them.
Following Sunday’s protests, a Change.org petition began to deport New Zealand-born Sewell, who has dual citizenship, following his “unchecked” behaviour. As of publication, the petition has nearly 1,300 signatures.
