Violent Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty should be investigated as a hate crime

Written by: Sen. Lidia Thorpe on September1, 2015

 

 

The violent Nazi attack on the First People's Camp Sovereignty following yesterday's racist March for "Australia", has been condemned by Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe. We reprint her statement as an act of solidarity - eds.

September 01, 2025

Violent Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty should be investigated as a hate crime

(Above; Nazi leader Thomas Sewell, who was a headline speaker at the racist March for Australia, throws a punch at First Peoples during the attack on Camp Sovereignty)

On Sunday afternoon, Camp Sovereignty — a sacred place maintained by First Peoples — was violently attacked by around 40 black-clad neo-Nazis armed with pipes, poles and branches. Video of the attack appears to show known neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell among them.

The attackers, who earlier attended the so-called “March for Australia” rallies, stormed the hill at 5:05pm, punching, kicking and swinging weapons at community members, targeting women first. Four people required medical treatment, including one with critical head injuries. The group also stole Aboriginal flags and were seen stomping on and destroying them.

When Victoria Police arrived, the Nazi group walked away freely. Police did not appear to attempt any arrests or to question the perpetrators.

 
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"Yesterday’s violent and vicious attacks are an act of terror against Aboriginal people in this country. This was racism out on full display and shows what my people have been dealing with for over 200 years.

"This was an unprovoked, coordinated Nazi attack on Aboriginal people. These thugs violently assaulted community members, including young women, in what was clearly a racially motivated attack. It must be investigated as a hate crime.

"The aim of this attack was to cause fear and terror in the hearts and minds of our people, and Black and Brown people across the country.

"Rightwing extremism is the biggest threat to this country, and yet police did not follow the neo-Nazi protestors to Camp Sovereignty, and didn’t interfere in their violent attacks, nor did they seem to arrest anyone afterwards. 

"The perpetrators of these vicious attacks need to be held accountable for the harm they caused, not just to those at Camp Sovereignty but also for instilling fear in our communities.

"Camp Sovereignty was established by my uncle, Krautungalung Elder Robbie Thorpe, as a peaceful place for all of the community to gather, yarn and reflect. It stands on the site of the resting place for the repatriated remains of 38 Aboriginal Victorians. This violent Nazi attack was a clear attack on First Peoples and our ancestors.

"Racism is alive and growing in this country, and it is a direct threat to the safety of First Peoples and people of colour. To see it so blatantly on display over the weekend should bring deep shame to this nation. To see politicians and sections of the media supporting and participating in these marches is reprehensible.

"I understand some people may have attended these rallies out of frustration about cost-of-living or housing, crises that governments continue to largely ignore. But we must be clear: standing with Nazis and racists should never be acceptable. 

"‘March for Australia’ was never about ordinary people’s struggles. It was racist, misogynistic, homophobic, anti-immigrant, and anti-First Peoples. We know neo-Nazi groups exploit people’s concerns and racist fears to spread hate and division.

"Together we must recognise this and call it out. Racism is never the answer — it will only drive this country further down the dangerous path of division and violence, towards white supremacy, which we clearly saw on Sunday.

"Governments, police, and media have allowed these dangerous ideologies to flourish unchecked, and it is leading to violence.

"The Victorian and Federal governments, the AFP and Victoria Police need to address this and hold those responsible for yesterday's horrendous racist attack to account. We need a full investigation.

"This is not our national identity, it’s not what we're about as a nation. 

"We call on everyone who believes in justice to stand with us. Don’t look away. Don’t make excuses. Show up and stand with First Peoples and migrant communities."

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