Controversial 'final solution' senator sparks outrage by appearing alongside far-right group before neo-Nazis made Hitler salutes in clashes with anti-racism activists over 'African crime epidemic'

  • Fraser Anning has previously claimed he wasn't aware of the implications of the term 'the final solution'
  • He attended a rally today held to protest African gangs in Victoria, which was organised by the far-right
  • He said he hoped it would start a revolution among Australians who he believes should be 'fighting back' 
  • He said if he were prime minister of Australia, Africans and Muslims wouldn't be welcome in the country
  • Right-wing activists rallied to discuss African gang crime on the foreshore of St Kilda beach in Melbourne
  • Left-wing protesters calling their counterparts 'fascists' also went to the beach to protest against the rallies 
  • Prominent alt-right head and convicted criminal Blair Cottrell demanded answers on African gang crime 

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A senator who claimed he had no understanding of the term 'final solution' after using it in his maiden speech to the upper house appeared at a far-right protest alongside activists who performed Nazi salutes. 

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning said he hoped Saturday's clashes between far-right and anti-racism protesters on Melbourne's St Kilda beach would lead to a 'revolution'. 

He stated that if he were elected as prime minister, he would refuse entry to any immigrants of African descent as well as Muslims, but is not against allowing Chinese and Indians in, as long as they don't outnumber Europeans.

'I think this is the start of something bigger, I think the revolution will eventually start and these people have got to be sent back to where they came from,' Mr Anning said. 

'It's the beginning. We Australians are very slow to act, we just react.'  

Former senator Derryn Hinch was among a number of public figures to condemn Mr Anning's attendance at the rally, as social media platforms filled with calls for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to do the same. 

'I have chastised Fraser Anning in the Senate for his racism, anti-abortion clinic exclusion zones and Hitler's Final Solution. His appearance in support of the neo-Nazis in St. Kilda today topped his calumny,' Mr Hinch said.  

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (pictured) told the media he hoped Saturday's riots on St Kilda beach would lead to a 'revolution'

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (pictured) told the media he hoped Saturday's riots on St Kilda beach would lead to a 'revolution'

A senator who claimed he had no understanding of the implications of the term the 'final solution' when he was admonished appeared at a far-right protest today alongside far-right extremists who performed Nazi salutes (pictured)

A senator who claimed he had no understanding of the implications of the term the 'final solution' when he was admonished appeared at a far-right protest today alongside far-right extremists who performed Nazi salutes (pictured)

Ugly violence erupted between far-right supporters, some of which were seen performing the Nazi salute (pictured) and counter-protesters on Saturday

Ugly violence erupted between far-right supporters, some of which were seen performing the Nazi salute (pictured) and counter-protesters on Saturday

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young wrote on Twitter: 'The government should refuse to take Fraser Anning’s vote. 

'Hanging out and supporting with neo-Nazis who are inciting violence is inexcusable.'

Labor MP Tim Watts condemned racism after saying: ''Around 100 neo-Nazis, white nationalists and racial supremacists rallied in St Kilda accompanied by an Australian Senator.'

Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan released a statement condemning the rally.

'I condemn in the strongest possible terms the apparent racist and race-based motivation behind the rally. There is no place for such rallies in Australia,' Mr Tan wrote.  

'Activities that target a community based on their race or ethnicity are unacceptable and have no place in a cohesive, multicultural Australia. 

United Patriots Front founder Blair Cottrell was seen alongside Mr Anning on numerous occasions, including when the rural QLD senator was preparing to address media.

Mr Anning said that he attended Saturday's rally to represent the Queenslanders who wished they could have attended.

'These are Australian people showing their disgust with the Australian government for allowing garbage like these Sudanese thugs to come into our country and belting our innocent women and children,' he said.

'All Australians have to eventually get over their political correctness and stand up and fight back.'  

That sentiment echoes Cottrell's announcement after the riots - which he deemed a 'great success' despite the violence.

Cottrell threatened to rally again 'outside Premier Daniel Andrews office' if he does not agree to address what Cottrell describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'. 

Police turned out in droves to ensure the event stayed as controlled as possible

Police turned out in droves to ensure the event stayed as controlled as possible

Cottrell (pictured) threatened to rally again 'outside Premier Daniel Andrews office' if he does not agree to address what he describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'

Cottrell (pictured) threatened to rally again 'outside Premier Daniel Andrews office' if he does not agree to address what he describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'

State police minister Lisa Neville said hundreds of police attended, including the specialist police, dog squad, mounted squad and public response teams

State police minister Lisa Neville said hundreds of police attended, including the specialist police, dog squad, mounted squad and public response teams

The protest, which was advertised as a 'non-violent political meeting' to 'make Australia safe again' from African gangs, did in fact turn violent, with three right-wing protesters arrested throughout the day

The protest, which was advertised as a 'non-violent political meeting' to 'make Australia safe again' from African gangs, did in fact turn violent, with three right-wing protesters arrested throughout the day

Mr Anning was previously dismissed from his post with Katter's Australian Party after referring to a 'final solution' during his maiden parliamentary speech.

At the time, he claimed he was unaware of the term's connection to Nazi Germany.

Saturday's rally was organised by a number of people who themselves are referred to as neo-Nazis, and multiple rally-goers were even seen giving the Nazi salute at numerous times throughout the day. 

A spokesperson from Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they respect the public's right to protest peacefully but would not tolerate any law breaking

A spokesperson from Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they respect the public's right to protest peacefully but would not tolerate any law breaking

Protesters from each side of the rioting were seen being dragged off by police after fights erupted on the beach and on walkways

Protesters from each side of the rioting were seen being dragged off by police after fights erupted on the beach and on walkways

Scores of riot police (pictured) were dispatched to St Kilda beach to break up any conflicts. They were a part of a multi-faceted police operation

Scores of riot police (pictured) were dispatched to St Kilda beach to break up any conflicts. They were a part of a multi-faceted police operation

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (left)  was seen with far-right convicted criminal Blair Cottrell (right)

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (left) was seen with far-right convicted criminal Blair Cottrell (right)

The protest, which was advertised as a 'non-violent political meeting' to 'make Australia safe again' from African gangs, did in fact turn violent, with three right-wing protesters arrested throughout the day.

One teenager was found to be carrying a weapon, while two others were arrested for their behaviour during the rioting.

Cottrell, whose extensive rap sheet includes violent assaults, arson and trafficking testosterone, described multiculturalism as 'dividing and destabilising', before promising to join the rally.

He, alongside tevent organiser Neil Erikson, demanded to know why African gang crime rates are 'through the roof' while claiming that nothing is being done about it.   

Armed police (pictured left and right) were out in force on Saturday warning against violence among protesters attending

Right-wing activist Blair Cottrell (pictured) has led a protest against African gang violence

Right-wing activist and convicted criminal Blair Cottrell (pictured) led a protest against African gang violence

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

Campaign Against Racism and Fascism spokeswoman Tess Dimos disagreed, saying despite claims there is an 'African gang crisis', African youths are systematically targeted. 

'There is no credibility to the gang violence, it's all a hyped-up image showing crime from African youths.' 

That sentiment echoes one that was previously addressed by prominent lawyer and community advocate Nyadol Nyuon, who took to social media to share her concerns ahead of the scheduled event.

 In the meantime, we get to call and inform family members and our community to stay away from the beaches this Saturday - in summer.

'Neil and Blair have been referred to as ''activists'', ''concerned citizens'' or merely ''controversial'',' Ms Nyuon began. '[These] terms neglect their racist and violent incitements (like Blair saying he would 'execute' certain people).'

'If we were to hold a demonstration against racism, some mainstream outlets would be calling us 'ungrateful' to be in Australia and to leave if we didn't like it.'

'Yet a racist rally, led by convicted criminals, can go ahead with their leaders enjoying media coverage that cast them as having legitimate concerns, and who will find support from free speech worries insisting on their rights to effectively harass black peoples,' Ms Nyuon said.

'In the meantime, we get to call and inform family members and our community to stay away from the beaches this Saturday - in summer.'

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

Maker Mayek, a lawyer and principle of Mayek Legal, told Daily Mail Australia the protest is 'extremely dangerous, not only for the members of the African community, but for beach-goers, residents of St Kilda and surrounding areas.'   

'The protests are likely to inflame fears and tensions in race relations which suffered greatly as a result of the sensationalist reporting and dog-whistling we saw in 2018. The last thing we want to see in this country is another Cronulla.'

Erikson also briefly spoke, accusing authorities of removing social media posts and stifling the number of people the event reached online.

'Good to see regular Aussies here and no Nazis,' he said, shortly before a follower marched from the beach while performing the Nazi salute. 

SATURDAY'S RIGHT-WING RALLY AT ST KILDA BEACH 

December 30th: Neil Erikson creates a public Facebook event titled 'Political Meeting at St Kilda Beach' for the 5th of January. The event is advertised as a 'peaceful protest'. 

The meeting is allegedly in response to the numerous African gang related attacks in Melbourne, including one on St Kilda beach in early December. 

January 2nd: Far-right extremist and convicted criminal Blair Cottrell vows to attend the rally in support of the meeting. 

Numerous members of the African community speak out against the rally. They say the group are inciting hatred and fear, and that the event jeopardises the safety of not just the African community, but St Kilda locals and beach-goers. 

January 3rd: Campaign Against Racism and Fascism organises to also attend St Kilda beach on Saturday. 

They intended to 'drown out the racism' and avoid another Cronulla riot by standing in solidarity with the African community.

January 5th: Approximately 500 people attended in support of the 'political meeting', according to organiser Blair Cottrell.

He deemed the protests a 'huge success' despite arrests and violence - something that Erikson and he claim they wanted to avoid.

Hundreds of police also attended, including specialist police, the dog squad, the mounted squad, the transit teams and the public order response teams. 

Three arrests in total were made. 

An 18-year-old was arrested for allegedly carrying a weapon shortly after midday. 

Another right-wing protester clashed with police and other attendees before being led away by officers.

A third arrest was made after a physical altercation between protesters from each side. 

Cottrell threatens to rally again 'outside the Premier's office' if he does not agree to address what he describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'.  

 

 

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‘Final solution’ senator calls for a ‘revolution’ alongside activists at right-wing protest

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