The centre of Melbourne is set for another showdown between a neo-nazi group and Melbourne’s activist anti-fascist movement.
A month ago, the two groups clashed in Coburg after the ‘True Blue Crew’ (TBC), supported by the United Patriots Front, staged a protest at a multicultural anti-racism rally in Coburg.
TBC is planning to rally at Parliament House in Melbourne tomorrow, with a march through the CBD to “celebrate the national flag” – code for a racist demonstration against Islam and immigration.
There to greet them will be members of the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (CARF), which confronted the TBC and the UPF in Coburg.
CARF member, Vashti Kenway said the TBC and UPF are expanding the groups they now target.
“TBC is a neo-Nazi group, especially known for its violence. We’ve experienced it at rallies defending Muslims and immigrants, from Bendigo and Melton to Coburg,” Ms Kenway said.
“TBC is now pointedly targeting the LGBTIQ community and the Left — as well as playing on racism and xenophobia.
“The far right’s assault on Safe Schools, and its hysteria over the program’s openly socialist convener, Roz Ward, calling out Australia’s racist history, have given TBC and UPF a new hunting ground for recruits.”
Ms Kenway also rejected suggestions that her group should simply ignore the TBC and UPF.
“Through the mainstream media, the government and police consistently try to scare off the community from any counter-organising. They even claim that violence comes from both sides.
“On the contrary, we have to prevent these groups from spreading their poisonous ideas and growing.”
Debbie Brennan, who is also a CARF activist and member of the National Union of Workers said the real purpose of the TBC protest needed to be acknowledged.
“TBC’s action on Sunday is not about the flag. It’s about building a fascist movement, based on backward, nationalistic bigotry.
“We live in a world where the scapegoated are massacred, as in Orlando, and their defenders assassinated, such as the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in London.
“These events, and the ground fascists are gaining in Europe, are chilling. The lessons of Germany and Italy less than a century ago teach us what will happen if we don’t stop them now.”
Details for CARF’s rally – Say No to Racism – are available here.