Alarm as black-clad neo-Nazis rally in Sydney for third day in row

Masked men dressed in all black have gathered in Sydney, Australia, for a neo-Nazi rally for the third day in a row, prompting a police operation and threats from the top politician in New South Wales to unmask those involved.

“In New South Wales the police have the right to unmask Nazis on our streets,” says NSW Premier Chris Minns, according to ABC.

He adds that he supports sharpening legislation outlawing Nazi gestures and symbols, which came into effect in Australia last month in response to more antisemitic incidents following Israel’s war on Hamas.

“We’ll make sure that the people of New South Wales are safe and we protect the tenants of our multicultural, harmonious community.”

Police said late on Friday, a holiday known as Australia Day, that they arrested six people and issued 55 others with infringement notices for offensive behavior at a train station in Sydney as they gathered for a neo-Nazi rally, clad in all black.

38.4c in Sydney. National Nazi meet up thwarted by cops They just marched around empty streets, looking ridiculous in "Melbourne chic" black bloc. pic.twitter.com/MZg7pnZdDD

— Dr Kaz (@tassiekaz) January 26, 2024

Another gathering was stopped by police Saturday night, according to ABC.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Saturday that the country had seen a rise in neo-Nazi activity, condemning it.

“I don’t want to see people in balaclavas dressed in black from head to toe, who are engaged in neo-Nazi activity in this country,” Albanese said.

Saturday marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day.