Multiple people have been seen on Saturday morning displaying racist banners on three bridges over the M1 Motorway in Chadstone, Melbourne.
The banners, which included slogans such as “No Asian votes should count”, “No Indian votes should count”, “No black votes should count”, “No Muslim votes should count”, and “Only Aussie votes should count”, were visible to passing motorists and quickly drew widespread condemnation.
An alleged witness told SBS she saw about 30 people spread across three overpasses.
Nationalist activists protest against immigrant voting blocs with a series of banners in Melbourne on election day.
The last one says "only Aussie votes should count".
Police responded to the incident after receiving several calls from motorists just after 9:30am. Officers attended the scene near Huntingdale Road, where people dressed in black and wearing face coverings were seen holding the banners. In a statement provided to PEDESTRIAN.TV, Victoria Police said:
“Police are investigating following reports offensive slogans were displayed in several locations along the Monash Freeway in Mount Waverley this morning. Officers were called to the area after a number of motorists travelling along the freeway called Triple Zero (000) just after 9:30am.
“Police have been told people were seen congregating on several foot and vehicle overpass bridges in the vicinity of Huntingdale Road.
“It is believed the people involved, who were described as wearing all black and face coverings, were holding banners which displayed offensive slogans.”
(Image: Reddit)
The banners were removed shortly after police arrived. Victoria Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and are encouraging anyone with information or footage to come forward.
The move coincided with election day and according to Noticer News “about two dozen members of the Nationalist Socialist Network (NSN)” were seen holding the signs and the stunt was aimed at criticising immigrant voting blocks.
NSN activist Joel Davis told Noticer News, “The decisive role set to be played by immigrant voting blocks this election invalidates today’s result, whatever it is. Importing voters is an attack on Australian sovereignty.”
ABC News Verify recently reported that Noticer News “runs white supremacist content alongside stories lifted from selected news sites” and “is popular among the far-right community”.
Victoria Police also did not confirm if the NSN was responsible for the banners this morning.
Online, the group’s actions were mocked by some. On Reddit, one user wrote, “‘Only Aussie votes should count’, why yes, that is in fact the reason why only citizens vote.”
(Image: Reddit)
Another commented, “They are not the sharpest tools in the shed…”
(Image: Reddit)
This incident follows ongoing efforts from the NSN to form a new political party. The group’s leader, Thomas Sewell, is currently under strict bail conditions and has had the group’s website and social channels taken down following his arrest.
Thomas Sewell. (Image: AAP)
Under Victoria’s strengthened anti-vilification laws, hate speech that incites hatred or threatens violence based on race, religion, or other protected attributes can result in up to five years’ imprisonment. Public display of Nazi symbols and salutes is also banned, with mandatory minimum sentences for offenders.
Victoria Police have stated in previous incidents involving hate-based banners that “there is absolutely no place for hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity”.
The investigation into the Chadstone banners remains active, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
