The group of men who were covered head-to-toe in black outfits, sunglasses and balaclavas at a train station in Sydney have been confirmed to have links to Neo-Nazi groups.
Hours after the annual Invasion Day rally ended, Thomas Sewell, the leader of National Socialist Network – a group infamous for its Neo-Nazi views – was confronted by NSW Police.
Seen in the footage below, Sewell was told by police to leave the Sydney local government area, and that he was barred from attending any Australia Day events.
He was warned he and his fellow demonstrators would be arrested if they did not comply with the order.
The order was made on the grounds that their “presence in the Sydney City local government area poses a serious risk to public safety”.
“This is based on your ideological links, including your associates, your previous attendance and ideologically motivated public order incidents, your criminal history of assaulting members of the public and your goal of intimidating and provoking people,” the officer read from an order written by the New South Wales Police Force.
Sewell attempted to argue his right to “celebrate Australia Day publicly”.
“So we’re not allowed to celebrate Australia Day?” the self-appointed leader of the Neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network disputed.
“I suggest you could do it at your house,” replied the officer.
Sewell and his fellow demonstrators were caught waving Australian flags and chanting in public before being detained by police on a train in Artarmon, North Sydney.
NSW Police has confirmed that a police operation has commenced.
According to the Daily Mail, more than 20 officers were seen boarding the train, while dozens more waited on the platform.
All passengers on board the train have been evacuated, and Sydney Buses has published a notice on social media that no buses are stopped at the station.
“Buses are diverting away from North Sydney Station due to a police operation,” it said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Buses are using the Pacific Highway instead, missing up to two stops. You can catch the bus on the Pacific Highway outside Greenwood Plaza.”
Police report that six arrests were made, and some of the 61 men had items such as shields and a flag confiscated.
This isn’t the first time a Neo Nazi group has marched while waving Australian flags.
Just last month, neo-Nazis took to the streets of Ballarat while hiding their identities with balaclavas and sunglasses.
The men chanted “white man fight back” and “heil victory” while waving “Australia for the white man” banners.
This is a developing story, and we’ll update you when we have more information.
