Antipodean Resistance

Antipodean Resistance
Logo featuring the Black Sun and Totenkopf with an Akubra hat, a laurel wreath and swastika
Founded 2016
Purpose Neo-Nazi hate group
Location
Website antipodean-resistance.info

Antipodean Resistance is a neo-Nazi and fascist group in Australia.[1] The group, which makes use of Nazi symbols such as the Swastika and the Nazi salute, has explicitly called for the legalisation of the murder of Jewish people.[2][3]

Origin

Antipodean Resistance (AR) first formed on the Iron March website, which was a forum for neo-Nazis. Members of the website formed groups such as Atomwaffen Division and Antipodean Resistance.[4][5]

Membership

The membership of the group is reported to be very small. The group is only open to young heterosexual white people, who are "able to take a hit" for their beliefs. Members assume a pseudonym in an attempt to remain anonymous. Media outlets have reported that Antipodean Resistance have organised secret radicalisation camps in remote forests.[6] In February 2018, Antipodean Resistance formed a women's branch, Antipodean Resistance Women's Alliance (ARWA).[5]

Activities

The group has attracted attention for their Nazi-inspired vandalism in major cities in Australia. It has targeted schools in Melbourne with significant ethnic minority populations, placing posters carrying the message "Keep Australia White" along with racial slurs such as "abo", "nigger", and "chink", which were described as "vile and disgusting" by Victorian education minister James Merlino.[7]

The group attracted international attention with a campaign of Chinese-language posters at universities threatening Chinese students with deportation.[8]

In the lead-up to the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey the group targeted churches, universities and public places with homophobic propaganda linking same-sex marriage and paedophilia.[9][10]

The account of the group was suspended by Twitter on 18 December 2017.[11]

Banners have been dropped from bridges over highways by Antipodean Resistance calling for "white revolution".[5]

During April 2018 it was reported that the group's posters had been seen around Canberra.[12]

In June 2018 it was reported in Melbourne that the group's posters were found on Chapel Street mocking Pride Month and calling gay people "a walking disease".[13][14]

Terrorism concerns

Several counter-terrorism experts have suggested authorities should focus more on far-right extremists such as Antipodean Resistance. Anne Aly, the Labor MP has suggested that the group may turn to terrorism, stating "For a terrorist attack to succeed, it really only takes one person." Dr Aly called for the group to be banned stating "I would like to see some of these groups proscribed ... as terrorist and violent organisations."[9]

It has been reported that ASIO, the Australian national security organisation, is monitoring the group whom they suggest are "willing to use violence to further their own interests."[15]

See also

  • Atomwaffen Division, an American neo-Nazi terrorist group with similar rhetoric and posters to that of Antipodean Resistance.

References

  1. ↑ Martinich, Rex (6 October 2017). "Neo-Nazi Grampians camp used for recruitment". The Stawell Times-News. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  2. ↑ Faithfull, Eden (20 April 2017). "White Supremacist Neo-Nazi Propaganda Found on Sydney University Campus". usu.edu.au. University of Sydney Union. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. ↑ Staff (17 August 2017). "'Hatred on our doorsteps'". Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. ↑ Poulter, James (13 March 2018). "The Obscure Neo-Nazi Forum Linked to a Wave of Terror". Vice. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  5. 1 2 3 Nathan, Julie (18 April 2018). "Antipodean Resistance: Australia's new Nazis". jewsdownunder.com. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  6. ↑ Lang, Rachel (5 September 2017). "Neo-Nazi radicalisation camp held on Sunshine Coast". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Davey, Melissa (16 August 2017). "White supremacist posters targeting students placed at Melbourne high schools". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  8. ↑ Kwai, Isabella; Xu, Xiuzhong (25 July 2017). "Anti-Chinese Posters at Melbourne Universities Are Tied to White Supremacists". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  9. 1 2 Tran, Danny (5 September 2017). "Antipodean Resistance Neo-Nazi group trying to sway Australia's same-sex marriage postal vote". ABC News. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  10. ↑ Urban, Rebecca (29 August 2017). "White supremacists take credit for homophobic posters in Melbourne". The Australian. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  11. ↑ Staff (18 December 2017). "Twitter cracks down on swastikas and 'hateful imagery' and it starts enforcing new rules on abusive content - shuttering accounts run by white nationalist magazines and more". Daily Mail.
  12. ↑ Sibthrope, Claire (21 April 2018) "Canberrans 'disheartened' to find Neo-Nazi propaganda in city" ABC News (Australia)
  13. ↑ Jones, Jesse (26 June 2018). "Nazi group plasters Melbourne street with 'Happy AIDS Month' posters". Star Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  14. ↑ Smith Douglas (28 June 2018) "Vic police investigate source of far-right hate speech posters" SBS News
  15. ↑ Houghton, Jack (7 September 2017). "ASIO tracking Neo-Nazi group 'willing to use violence'". The Northern Star. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
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