MELBOURNE (Web Desk) – An anti-Islam nationalist group that has aligned itself with neo-Nazis and other far-right organisations says it will hold Australia’s biggest ever “patriot rally” at Melbourne’s Parliament House next weekend, The Age reported.
The group, United Patriots Front, is a breakaway of the Reclaim Australia movement and includes a man convicted of anti-Semitic harassment among its leaders.
The UPF claims solidarity with the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, which was founded by Holocaust denier Nikos Michaloliakos, who along with other party members is facing charges in his homeland of being a member of a criminal organisation.
The Australian police are investigating messages sent on social media that appear to show discussion about members “packing” (slang for bringing a weapon) at Saturday’s rally.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigators were checking the veracity of the messages.
About 70 members of the UPF attended a violent anti-Islam rally on the steps of the Richmond Town Hall in May, which saw scuffles break out between members and counter-protesters.
One man was charged with weapons offences after allegedly being caught carrying a knife at that rally.
The group also came to prominence when it held a rally late last month outside the ABC’s Melbourne office to protest over the appearance of former terror suspect Zaky Mallah on the broadcaster’s Q&A program.
About seven members of the group waved Australian flags and cooked a pig on a spit roast, in an apparent attempt to upset Muslims, who are religiously obliged to not eat pork products.
The UPF was formed by a group of self-styled Facebook political preachers who have at times used violent imagery to promote the upcoming rally. One of the group’s administrators, Neil Erikson, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to stalking in February last year, after he abused a Melbourne rabbi in a series of anti-Semitic phone calls.
The judge found Mr Erikson was motivated by “prejudice, if not hatred, toward the victim because of his race,” according to reports by AAP.
A police spokeswoman said the force was aware of both rallies organised for Saturday.
“Victoria Police respects the right of the community to express their views peacefully and lawfully, but will not tolerate those who break the law,” she said.
