- A far-right, anti-immigration march in Melbourne escalated into violence, culminating in the storming of Camp Sovereignty.
- The attack reflects broader connections between Australian far-right groups and the international neo-Nazi movement.
A far-right anti-immigration march in Melbourne spiralled into violence last weekend, culminating in an attack on a sacred Indigenous site and raising urgent questions about police conduct and institutional responses to neo-Nazi groups in Australia.
On Sunday, members of the self-described National Socialist Network (NSN) led chants of “Australia for the white man” before a group of about 50 men stormed Camp Sovereignty, a historic Aboriginal burial ground in the city. Four people were injured; two were hospitalised with serious head wounds.
The so-called “March for Australia,” framed as a protest against mass immigration, came just a week after more than 350,000 people marched nationwide in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s onslaught on Gaza. For many, the juxtaposition underscored the political climate into which the far right sought to insert itself.
Connections to neo-Nazi groups were clear. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that Hugo Lennon, a prominent far-right figure with ties to the NSN, was initially listed as an organiser of the march before quietly disappearing from its Facebook page. On the eve of the protest, NSN leader Thomas Sewell issued a statement: “March for Australia is about stopping immigration. No illegal actions or gestures will be performed by our members on the day.” The following violence, however, told a different story.
“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.
Camp Sovereignty is no ordinary protest site. Established in 2006 by elders Robbie and Marg Thorpe, it sits on an Aboriginal ceremonial ground and burial place of the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Known as a sovereign embassy for Australia’s First Nations, the camp honours Indigenous ancestors, supports healing from generational trauma, and symbolises ongoing resistance to colonisation.
Witnesses described a coordinated assault. Video shared online showed men in black clothing rushing the camp, tearing down flags, and attacking anyone in their path. The Black Peoples Union, an Indigenous political organisation, reported that attackers shouted “white power” and racial slurs while stamping out a fire-kept alight by the group to honour their ancestors. They also trampled on the Aboriginal flag.
“They specifically went for the women,” one 30-year-old teacher told the Black Peoples Union.
“I had what looked like a 15-year-old boy rip my hair, throw me to the ground and smash into my face with his fists. He did it with a smile on his face.”
Nathalie Farah, who said she was kicked in the stomach, recalled warning signs hours earlier. “Earlier that morning, Tom [Sewell] and a couple of his mates walked through Camp Sovereignty.” We knew that they were going to come back. The police knew they were coming back.”
According to Naarm Frontline Medics, police arrived only after the attackers had fled. The volunteer group accused officers of pointing pepper spray at victims rather than assailants and “actively obstructing the victims’ access to emergency medical care.” Victoria Police confirmed that no arrests were made.
By 5pm, witnesses said, Sewell returned with a larger group armed with poles and pipes. For researchers, the attack is part of a wider pattern.
The White Rose Society, which monitors far-right extremism, said the NSN is “heavily networked with the international far right” through groups such as Terrorgram and 764/COM. Its leaders, the group added, “play a prominent role in the international active club network.” “Australian fascists and neo-Nazis have extensive reach on social media to an international audience…” the society said.
