Controversial neo-Nazi festival planned in Brisbane
White supremacist groups plan 2012 festival for undisclosed location in Brisbane.
By ELIEZER SHERMANNeo Nazi 311(photo credit: REUTERS)An annual neo-Nazi music festival will be happening this year at an undisclosed location in Brisbane, drawing the ire of the Australian human rights commissioner, the Courier Mail reported Sunday. The festival, called the Hammered Music Festival, was advertised on white supremacist websites promising local and international bands and a day full of events. The poster featured dramatic imagery of a Viking-themed battle.RELATED:Dark times for White Supremacy in South Africa White extremists joining US army to get training, expert warns The event is co-organized by the Southern Cross Hammerskins, the Australian branch of a white supremacist group originally founded in Dallas, Texas in the late 1980s.The Hammerskins described the event to The Jerusalem Post as a "private event.""It is for like minded individuals to get together and enjoy music and the company of like minded individuals," the group said, adding that in order to go to the festival, you must attend a "meet and greet" prior to event.The group said it's intentions were "harmless, and legal," adding that there were "those that are set to see this event not go ahead," after activists protested outside the festival in 2010. Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr. Helen Szoke called the event "abhorrent to our community," according to the Mail.
She called on those offended by the neo-Nazi gathering to complain under the Australian Racial Discrimination Act, which prohibits people in designated activities, clubs or associations from discriminating against anyone on the grounds of race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin and immigration status.The controversial festival took place in 2010 on the Gold Coast, bringing groups of activists that protested outside the festival grounds.
Despite the potential for incitement to racism, the festival as planned is legal, Queensland police said.Music is an integral part of the Hammerskin international culture, and has been used as a recruiting tool, the Anti-Defamation League wrote on its website.
