Neo-Nazi March in Melbourne Turns Violent With Attack on Sacred Indigenous Site
A far-right, anti-immigration rally in Melbourne escalated into shocking violence last weekend, when members of a neo-Nazi group stormed Camp Sovereignty, a sacred Indigenous site, leaving four people injured and two hospitalized with serious head wounds.
The so-called “March for Australia”, led by the National Socialist Network (NSN), drew around 50 men who chanted racist slogans such as “Australia for the white man.” The attack has sparked national outrage, raising urgent questions about police response and the growing presence of neo-Nazi groups in Australia.
The rally came just a week after more than 350,000 people across Australia marched in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Critics say the anti-immigration protest was less about policy and more about pushing white supremacist ideologies into the public space.
Far-right links exposed
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), far-right figure Hugo Lennon, known for his ties to the NSN, was initially listed as an organizer of the march before his name was quietly removed from social media. A day prior to the rally, NSN leader Thomas Sewell claimed his members would avoid illegal actions, though video evidence and witness reports show otherwise.
“The rally was never about immigration but an excuse to parade white supremacist ideas in Australia,” said Ilo Diaz from the Centre Against Racial Profiling.
What is Camp Sovereignty?
Camp Sovereignty, established in 2006 by elders Robbie and Marg Thorpe, sits on an Aboriginal ceremonial and burial ground in Melbourne. It serves as a permanent fire site, symbolizing Indigenous sovereignty, resistance, and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation.
For many, the violent attack represented not only a physical assault but also a profound act of cultural disrespect. Witnesses reported that the attackers trampled the Aboriginal flag, desecrated the sacred fire that honors Indigenous ancestors, and shouted racial slurs.
Witness accounts of violence
Activist Nathalie Farah, who was injured in the attack, said the threat had been clear for hours before the violence erupted.
“Earlier that morning, Tom [Sewell] and a couple of his mates walked through Camp Sovereignty. They wanted to walk through the sacred fire. We knew they were coming back. The police knew they were coming back,” she told Al Jazeera.
By 5 p.m., a large group led by Sewell reportedly returned armed with poles and pipes. Videos posted online showed men dressed in black assaulting camp members, tearing down flags, and targeting women. One teacher, 30, described being thrown to the ground and repeatedly punched by a teenage boy who “smiled while attacking.”
Police response under scrutiny
The Black Peoples Union condemned the violence, accusing attackers of chanting “white power” while stamping out the sacred fire. Meanwhile, Naarm Frontline Medics, a volunteer medical group, claimed police arrived only after the attackers had fled. Disturbingly, witnesses allege officers pointed pepper spray at the victims rather than pursuing the assailants.
The attack has intensified calls for stronger action against far-right extremism in Australia and greater protection for Indigenous cultural sites.