A large group of nationalist protesters marched through Melbourne on Friday and unfurled a banner reading “Jews hate freedom” in a rally against a raft of new legislation restricting free speech and protest rights.
About 20 members of the National Socialist Network arrived at the steps of the Parliament of Victoria at about 6.30pm where leading right-wing activist Joel Davis made a speech about the proposed laws, which were drafted after demands from Jewish groups that the state government do more to stop anti-Semitism.
Video of the protest exclusively obtained by Noticer News shows the black-clad group, who were all masked except for Mr Davis, positioning themselves over an anti-Iranian government protest and turning off their music while two police officers stood behind them and watched on.
Exclusive video obtained by Noticer News shows right-wing activists with a “Jews hate freedom” banner in front of Victorian parliament in Melbourne on Friday.
They were demonstrating against new “hate speech” and protest laws being brought to combat anti-Semitism. pic.twitter.com/FhwKTDxiXB
— The Noticer (@NoticerNews) December 20, 2024
“The Jews have demanded that the Victorian government change laws to take away our freedoms,” Mr Davis began.
“The Victorian government, both parties, they’re complicit in an agenda to take away your rights, my right, all of our rights. Why does 0.4% of the Australian population – the Jews – get to dictate to the Victorian government what our freedoms should and should not be.
“This country should not belong to the Jews, it should belong to the White Australian people that built it. This is an outrage. We cannot stand for this. We have to take back control of our nations, and reclaim our political freedoms before they are trashed forever.”
The protesters then marched away less than 10 minutes later chanting “freedom for the White man, the Jews must go”, and “hail victory”.
Noticer News understands the group were harassed by a lone left-wing agitator, who then ran to the police for protection.
Mr Davis told Noticer News the new powers being given to police to stop political protests and prosecute so-called hate speech were being imposed on all Australians as a result of the demands of a tiny minority.
“We rallied on the steps of Parliament to show our opposition to new proposed laws to restrict our freedoms to protest and speak freely,” he said.
“These laws are being passed under explicit pressure from the Jews, with our politicians openly acknowledging they are being passed as favours to the Jews.
“Jews should not dictate what our freedoms as Australians are and are not. They are trying to have all criticism of them outlawed, because they don’t want to be held accountable for the undue and subversive power they exercise over our country.
“We will hold them accountable, and we will defend the freedoms of White Australians.”
Victoria Police said in a statement that the protest was under investigation, and that it “vehemently condemns anti-Semitic or racially motivated behaviour in our society and will not tolerate this kind of activity”.
🚨BREAKING: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced “as a promise to Jews” that wearing face coverings will now be banned at all protests.
Additionally, she has banned protests at all places of worship, the display of “right-wing group and white Nationalist symbols,” and… pic.twitter.com/mKENBurThw
— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) December 17, 2024
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan last week announced sweeping new “social cohesion” laws on top of already tabled anti-vilification legislation, after the alleged firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, earlier this month.
The proposed laws, which are expected to pass parliament early next year, outlaw masks at protests along with flags of banned terrorist organisations and the use of glue or other attachment devices to prevent protesters being moved on.
Ms Allan said on Tuesday that the protest laws were part of a “renewed promise to Jews” and were formulated following consultation with the Jewish community, who have been demanding police be given more powers to stop anti-Semitism.
She said they built on controversial new anti-vilification laws announced in November that could see minors jailed for up to five years for “hate speech”.
The proposed changes to the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 expand vilification protection from race and religion to cover so-called gender identity, sex, sexual orientation and disability, and lower the threshold for police to lay criminal charges.
Christians have warned the “hate speech” laws will leave them open to persecution and fear they will be weaponised by far-left activists, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has said it was concerned about the restriction of religious freedom.
The anti-vilification amendments were also drafted in consultation with Jewish and Muslim groups, but after their announcement the Jewish Community Council of Victoria said the laws should be passed sooner, and should go further in order to stop people using “proxy words” and cover the boycotting of businesses on the basis of race or religion.
Ms Allan condemned Friday’s protest in a post on X saying “this is why I am acting” and telling the protesters: “It is you who are the freedom haters, and we will drive you out.”
