Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns ‘horrific’ Australia Day neo-Nazi rally as National Socialist Network leader Thomas Sewell arrested in Adelaide

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the “horrific” scenes in Adelaide on Australia Day after neo-Nazis hijacked peaceful celebrations.

A prominent neo-Nazi leader is behind bars after being arrested in Adelaide, after his group hijacked peaceful Australia Day celebrations.

Far-right activist Thomas Sewell was arrested after his group, the National Socialist Network, marched through the city singing Waltzing Matilda and “White Australia” chants at war memorials on North Terrace and East Terrace.

Video shows the moment Sewell was arrested by SA Police, with the neo-Nazi leader yelling “I am under arrest for celebrating Australia Day.”Sewell recently told his supporters he would “become a terrorist” and “start killing people” if child protection services removed children from neo-Nazi families.

Thomas Sewell is arrested at the Adelaide War Memorial on Australia Day 2025. Picture: 7NEWS

Fifteen members of the group were later arrested in the city, with police cracking down on the demonstration in the East End.

A 25-year-old from Western Australia was charged with displaying a Nazi symbol, under tough new laws that came into force last month, while a 23-year-old Victorian man was charged with assaulting police.

An alleged Adelaide neo-Nazi was arrested in front of shocked shoppers in Rundle Mall yesterday afternoon.

The Advertiser captured the moment up to six officers swarmed the 24-year-old Brompton man near Beehive Corner just after 2pm in a seperate incident to the arrest of Mr Sewell.

The man was searched, handcuffed and then loaded into the back of a police vehicle, with the man heard saying to officers “he gets the points for the arrest”.

Police say the man was arrested after being directed to leave the East End earlier in the day when members of the National Socialist Network protested throughout the city.

Members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) during a counter protest on North Terrace and East Terrace on January 26, 2025. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

A group of 16 men were arrested and expected to face court on Tuesday. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

A 16-year-old from Victoria was arrested during the demonstration. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

He has been charged with failing to cease loiter and is expected to face court tomorrow.

The man is the only South Australian to be arrested following the disturbing CBD demonstration, with the other 15 people arrested coming from interstate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slammed the actions of the neo-Nazis.

“They were horrific scenes yesterday, to have people openly identifying as neo-Nazis and fascists, white supremacists marching through our streets,” Mr Albanese said.

“I congratulate the South Australian Police on the action that they took.

“There is no place for this hateful ideology here in Australia or indeed anywhere else

“We cherish what overwhelmingly Australians have done, which is to come together, whether we can trace in First Nations people back some 60,000 years or whether they are the newest migrants who yesterday took their oath of allegiance to Australia and became Australian citizens

“It’s a wonderful thing we have built in this country, we are overwhelmingly a harmonious country.”

Jewish community leader Norman Schueler condemned the shocking protest, which happened a day before International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“People really haven’t learnt the lessons of history and what took place in the 1930s,” Mr Schueler said.

“History is repeating itself, not only are we in the firing line, but all Australians are.

“There is no place whatsoever for these inhumane actions

“They are trying to change the Australian way of life.”

He said it was disturbing a 16-year-old had been arrested following the disturbance.

“We have to question how a 16-year-old in Australia hasn’t received the correct curriculum about what happened.”

Survival Day organiser Natasha Wanganeen said the men were “lost”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Jewish community leader Norman Schueler condemned the CBD protest. Picture: Salty Dingo

Survival Day organiser Natasha Wanganeen said the NSN protesters should “seek help from mental health professionals”.

“I saw a bunch of lost men, young and old, who were unorganised, couldn’t come up with their own unique chant and felt the need to butcher Waltzing Matilda,” she said. “Being that upset with people of colour when they are most likely fifth generation immigrants themselves is ridiculous.

“Do they realise they are protesting against their own families’ migrational history?”