New Zealand-born individual, associated with neo-Nazi ideology, faces accusation for assault at Indigenous protest location
Thomas Sewell, a self-proclaimed white nationalist, found himself in court on Tuesday, facing charges for an alleged attack on an Aboriginal protest site. The incident occurred at Camp Sovereignty, a significant location where the remains of Indigenous people from 38 clans are kept.
The confrontation took place during a media conference in Melbourne, where Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was present. Sewell, flanked by another individual, shouted false claims at Premier Allan about protest rights before being interrupted. Several men intervened to keep Sewell away from Premier Allan and her colleagues.
Sewell, who is originally from New Zealand, is among about 40 men accused of storming Camp Sovereignty after attending an anti-immigration rally. The confrontation lasted less than a minute and cut short the media conference. Sewell shouted, "You're a coward and we're going to take this country back from politicians like you" during the incident.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy described the attack on Camp Sovereignty as unlike anything she had seen in her nearly 10-year parliamentary career. Premier Allan confirmed she was "unharmed and undeterred" and said it was no surprise Nazis opposed her and the Labor state government.
In response to the nationwide anti-immigration rallies, Premier Allan revealed she was reconvening the government's anti-hate task force. She also promised to ban protests outside places of worship and stop demonstrators from wearing face coverings.
Dozens of officers arrested Sewell, along with two of his supporters, outside Melbourne Magistrates Court on the day of the hearing. During the hearing, Sewell cross-examined a witness and questioned the rights of protesting groups, including neo-Nazis, and whether it was a conflict of interest for police to investigate themselves.
Three men were charged with violent disorder, affray, and other offences after being interviewed over the King's Domain incident. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe accused police of dropping the ball by not keeping the neo-Nazis away from the protest site. A person was charged in Melbourne on the same day with not only allegations of violence but also other charges.
Sewell ended his tirade with "Heil Australia" and claimed the interaction was a "coincidence". The changes he referred to, regarding the rights of protestors, have not been introduced to state parliament yet and may be scaled back. Premier Allan remains undeterred and committed to addressing hate crimes and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
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