An Australian man was arrested on Monday for leading a neo-Nazi protest at the Victoria parliament last Friday, the Victoria Police announced on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Wantirna man presented himself at a police station after law enforcement searched his home on Monday in connection to the around 20 individuals dressed in dark clothes who raised antisemitic banners at a Parliament House protest.
Several items were seized during the raid on the Melbourne-area man’s residence. After he was arrested, he was interviewed about grossly offensive public conduct, Racial and Religious Tolerance Act offenses, and offensive behavior.
As evidence is being prepared and submitted to prosecutors, the suspected neo-Nazi leader has been released.
Victoria Police stated on Tuesday that they “vehemently condemn antisemitic or racially motivated behavior in our society and will not tolerate this kind of activity.”
The neo-Nazi group had reportedly held a banner proclaiming that “Jews hate freedom,” while chanting “The Jews must go” and “Freedom for the white man.”
Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Kelly Walker said in a Saturday press briefing that it appeared that the group was having “some type of photo shoot” with “their own photographer.”
When law enforcement arrived, the neo-Nazi protesters fled toward Fitzroy Gardens, police reported on Tuesday. Authorities have since been looking to identify other members of the group.
“Responding officers were told members of the public who were present were outraged and verbally showed their disgust to the protesters,” shared the police.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the protest on social media on Friday, assuring the Australian Jewish community that the state “sends its love and solidarity” while threatening to drive out the protesters.
Ban on masked protests
The calls for “freedom” by the neo-Nazis came after Allan announced a series of reforms last Tuesday which proposed to ban masked protests and extremist symbols of groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Neo-Nazi factions.
The reforms, proposed to address rising antisemitic incidents in Victoria, would give law enforcement the power to “stop, search, and seize” in response to terrorist icons or flags.
Allan said on social media that the protest highlighted why she was acting.
“We are banning the symbols of terrorist organizations, at least three of which are white nationalist groups,” said Allan. “We are banning masks and chains at protests to stamp out extreme protest behavior.”
Allan said she wanted to make it “impossible for Nazis to function in this state” by criminalizing certain extremist behaviors.
“Masked Nazis are on the front steps of our democracy with a mission to make Jews in our state feel unsafe,” said Allan. “Antisemitism is rising around the world. I refuse to let Victoria succumb to it.”