Residents of a town on the New South Wales-Victoria border were outraged after 50 masked men, believed to be white supremacists, marched through the streets chanting offensive slogans.
The group first gathered outside the Corowa RSL around midday on Saturday, with members seen holding a large banner reading ‘white man fight back’.
The figures, dressed from head to toe in black and wearing balaclavas, were heard chanting white supremacist slogans including “Australia for the white man” before marching to the city’s war memorial.
New South Wales Police said the crowd of about 50 people was “dispersed” by officers after reports of an unauthorized gathering.
“There were no arrests,” NSW Police said in a statement.
‘While investigations into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.’
Community members were critical of the group on social media, labeling the gathering as “disgusting.”
“What a terrible event in our community,” one person said.
About 50 masked men were seen marching through Corowa, on the NSW-Victoria border, on Saturday, chanting white supremacist slogans
A figure associated with Victoria’s white supremacist movement who was placed on X claimed the march was because the local pork industry had been bought out by multinational companies.
He claimed that these companies were ‘importing’ workers.
Shocked locals reportedly told the group to leave as soon as the march began.
“Walking through the RSL car park, a number of locals had gathered there saying we didn’t want racist people here and should go home,” Corowa resident Kendra Smith said. told the ABC.
She believed the group was not from the area because she had never seen anyone like it in her town.
“It was horrible because we have a lot of people of color here, it’s just disgusting,” Ms. Smith said.
‘We heard one of them say to a young boy from the area… I’m not sure of his ethnicity… ‘p**s off you stink’ – he would only be about 14 years old.”
The figures, dressed from head to toe in black, were heard chanting white supremacist slogans before marching to the city’s war memorial.
NSW Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
The incident comes just days after a self-described Nazi became the first person to be convicted under Victoria’s laws banning the Nazi salute in public.