Community shows support after Camp Sovereignty attack

In the wake of an attack on Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain on August 31, the community has rallied behind it.

Southbank News visited the camp on September 9, where Aboriginal people and allies have gathered to show their support for, and to protect the site.

And over the weekend, hundreds attended an event to stand against the violent attack, that saw a group of 30 men dressed in black storm the camp.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, visited the site on Sunday, September 7.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast the following morning, the minister said, “It was incredibly disturbing. It was reprehensible – the vision that we saw of what was going on.”

“There was a lot of deep emotion and continues to be. But it was important to get a sense of what spiritual peacefulness, and what people were really looking for amid what has been an absolutely horrific time,” she said.

“Unless people do come together and stand against this form of hatred, then you allow that hatred to fester.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe has since called for the neo-Nazi protesters who targeted the camp to be investigated for hate crimes.

Friends of the Earth Melbourne have also condemned the actions of those involved in the incident.

Camp Sovereignty is an important place of ongoing Indigenous resistance, a sacred burial ground, a place to pay respects, to meet mob, and to share stories, a Friends of the Earth spokesperson said.

“We at Friends of the Earth Melbourne unequivocally condemn the actions of this white supremacist group of thugs,” they added.

“Their racism and violence is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with those impacted by their violence, both on the day and the wider community who have been affected by these events in the aftermath.”

Police have charged a total of seven people over the incident and allege that Thomas Sewell, leader of the neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network (NSN), led them.

Mr Sewell has been charged with 25 offences, including violent disorder and affray, and has been refused bail.

At a bail application hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 3, Detective Senior Constable Saer Pascoe said members of the network held down occupants of the camp and began to kick them.

He said another person was struck with a pole, kicked, and punched by members of the network. •