New approach needed to combat sickening far-right racism following neo-Nazi rally outside NSW Parliament
The NSW Greens have condemned the neo-Nazi rally outside New South Wales Parliament today, and called for a new approach following comments from Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Premier Chris Minns.
Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said “The Greens abhor anti-semitism and racism and I was sickened to see neo-Nazis outside the NSW Parliament today. The Greens condemn the actions and the rhetoric of these depraved racists. The Jewish Community and people of colour in our State should not be subjected to this on our streets or newsfeeds,”
“Since the horrifying March for Australia I have been calling for an escalation of government resources to confront rising far-right extremism. We know that stronger anti-discrimination laws, increased education, and truth-telling is the way to stop vile racism before it starts,”
“I am deeply concerned about the way the police are administering the form 1 protest authorisation system. How can they justify not challenging a rally for neo-Nazis to engage in antisemitism, but relentlessly challenging peaceful protests calling for a free Palestine? It’s one thing for the new Commissioner to say he didn’t know about the event, but how the heck do we not have lower ranking police officers making the right call on these matters?
“I think it would be alarming and sinister if the Police Commissioner and Premier Chris Minns try to use today’s awful event and the rise of neo-Nazis to call for stronger anti-protest laws in NSW. The last time the Premier rushed through anti-protest laws, they faced a successful constitutional challenge in the Courts,”
“We know criminalising protest does not work, because our Constitution is clear. Laws that go too far to stop people from gathering to protest will impermissible infringe upon the implied freedom of political communication,”
“Premier Chris Minns’ tough on protest rhetoric won’t work, he needs to deal with the actual issue. It’s time to set up a taskforce to work with the NSW Police Engagement & Hate Crime Unit and the counter-terrorism command and deal with the rise of the far-right and racism in this State head on,” Ms Higginson said.