SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young refers neo-Nazi-linked slogans to police
SIGNS emblazoned with a slogan linked to neo-Nazism, seen in Adelaide on Thursday, have been referred to South Australian police by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
SIGNS emblazoned with a slogan linked to neo-Nazism, seen in Adelaide on Thursday, have been referred to South Australian police by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The signs, which feature the slogan “It’s OK to be white”, were placed around Adelaide on Thursday morning, including one outside Senator Hanson-Young’s electorate office.
On Twitter, Ms Hanson-Young said such “pro-Nazi slogans” weren’t welcome in Adelaide.
“This white supremacist slogan has no place in Adelaide and no place in 2018,” she told The Advertiser.
Ms Hanson-Young said thewhite supremacist slogan was a direct attack on the state’s welcoming, multicultural community.
“I have referred this vile racism to the police,” she said.
The incident comes after controversial Queensland MP Pauline Hanson mounted an attempt to move a motion to have the Senate acknowledge that “it’s OK to be white”.
The motion was defeated 31-28 by opponents who called it a racist slogan from the white supremacist movement, despite being supported by a number of Coalition MPs.
“It is a matter of administrative error,”, Mr Corman said.
“I don’t support the form of words in that motion. We deplore racism of any kind … we should have opposed the motion.”
Senator Hanson-Young said the person responsible for the signs in Adelaide should be ashamed of themselves.
“It is good to see many of these signs have been ripped down by decent people who will not stand for this divisive language being used in our streets,” Ms Hanson-Young said.
“Sadly, Pauline Hanson and One Nation have given licence to spread this hate.”
South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission chair Norman Schueler said it was not possible to say with certainlty whether the posters were put up by people who knew the neo-Nazi links to the slogan.
However, he said it was most likely the origin of the signs were from an ultra far-right-wing group.
“The slogan has become popular among white nationalists intent on creating racial divisions and recruiting people to a mindset that our culture is under imminent threat from minority groups,” Mr Schueler said.
He said Senator Hanson-Young’s claim the posters were linked to neo-nazis were “over the top” considering she did not know their origins.
“The other problem is that these things are a cry for attention,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on our multicultural model in Australia that is an example to other countries. Fortunately, it’s ok to be any colour in this great country of ours and no reasonable person claims otherwise.”
SAPOL have been contacted for comment.
It is unclear how many posters have been distributed through Adelaide.