A large group of Australian nationalists with a banner reading “mass deportations now” protested in Melbourne before police broke up the peaceful demonstration and made an arrest.
About 45 masked and black-clad members of right-wing activist group the National Socialist Network displayed the banner and chanted “Australia for the White man, the rest must go” at Federation Square in the city centre just after 4pm on Saturday before moving to the steps of Flinders Street Station.
Victoria Police then moved in and arrested the group’s leader, Jacob Hersant, 24, and spoke to eight other activists before taking the “mass deportations now” sign and a flag.
Mr Hersant told Noticer News his arrest and the disruption of the protest within just 10 minutes was an example of political bias on behalf of Victoria Police, who allow daily pro-Palestine protests in the Melbourne CBD.
“The political policing is so naked and unjust that it beggars belief that politicians in Australia still bring themselves to mouth the words ‘liberal-democracy’,” he said.
“Every week, there’s an average of 21 protests held in the CBD. Victoria Police allow and protect these protests. Nationalists are the only ones that get arrested and threatened with these ridiculous charges for political activity that every other cause under the sun takes for granted.
“We founded and built this country. Where are our rights?
“Despite the political persecution, we must carry on the struggle for our nation’s sake. The future generations of our people depend upon our efforts today. This is the hour of decision.”
A police spokesperson told Noticer News officers attended Flinders Street after becoming aware of an “unplanned demonstration”, and said that Mr Hersant was arrested for alleged grossly offensive public conduct, interviewed at the scene and released with intent to summons.
“Eight males were also spoken to at the scene for offensive behaviour in a public place. They were released with intent to summons,” Victoria Police said.
“Police will assess the circumstances surrounding the demonstration and review vision of the incident and people involved.”
The protest comes after attendees at last week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee held up “mass deportation now” placards and chanted “send them back” during speeches on ending illegal immigration.
The event ended with presidential nominee Donald Trump reiterating his promise to carry out “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country”.
European nationalists held a similar rally in Vienna, Austria, last Saturday, with about 500 young nationalists holding up a banner saying “the kids want remigration”. The march was allowed to proceed through the city, and the only arrests made were of violent far-left Antifa agitators who attempted to disrupt the demonstration.
The concept of remigration, which refers to the mass deportation of illegal, unassimilated and unwanted immigrants, is growing in popularity across Europe and was popularised in a book by Austrian nationalist Martin Sellner, who has faced political persecution since giving a speech on the topic in Germany last last year.
Last month Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) called on the government to name an EU “remigration commissioner” after winning the European Union elections, taking 25.4% of the vote. It is now leading the polls ahead of September’s legislative election, hovering around 30%.
“What I have noticed in the last few weeks during the election campaign is that there is above all a need for sensible migration policy, that there is a need for remigration. We need a remigration commissioner,” FPO secretary general Christian Hafenecker said at the time.
