The fact that authorisation was given by NSW Police to a neo-Nazi group to hold a rally outside NSW Parliament this morning with the express purpose of targeting the Jewish community is inexplicable, appalling and inexcusable.
The chilling images and despicable words of antisemitism which were uttered at the event should never find a home or be accepted in our society, especially outside the heart of our democracy.
The rally featured a coded and carefully chosen banner targeting the Jewish community as well as the use of more explicit Nazi slogans and antisemitic hate speech.
We note the Commissioner’s public statement that an error occurred in internal NSW Police processes which meant that neither he nor the Government were aware that the organisers had received authorisation for this morning’s rally.
A full review must now be undertaken into how this hate rally received authorisation in the first place. Footage of the event must also be reviewed as a matter of urgency to determine whether or not any laws were broken at the rally.
Whilst it may be tempting to ignore this vile behaviour and avoid giving these dangerous neo-Nazis the attention they crave, evil left unconfronted becomes evil that is normalised.
We are living in a perilous time and all people of goodwill need to use this moment to take a stand and reject the hatred, division and extremism which is proliferating in our society.
