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Natasha Wanganeen says SA Police stopped neo-Nazi Survival Day threat

An Aboriginal activist and actor has revealed startling details of what happened when police rushed to confront a threat to Adelaide’s Survival Day rally.

An attempt by neo-Nazis to disrupt this year’s Survival Day protest in Adelaide was stopped by police, but indigenous activist and actor Natasha Wanganeen is worried about the threat of violence to Aboriginal people from far right groups during NAIDOC Week which starts Sunday.

“I hope that they’re (SAPOL) keeping tabs on them,’’ Ms Wanganeen said. “I would also encourage the SA Police to let the Indigenous community know what is going on with these people because at the end of the day, they’re targeting people of colour and we’re Aboriginal.’’

Aboriginal activist and actor Natasha Wanganeen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.
Aboriginal activist and actor Natasha Wanganeen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

Ms Wanganeen said Neo Nazis had tried to disrupt the Survival Day rally held in Adelaide on January 26, but had been headed off by police.

“I was told not to say anything over the mic to not scare everybody,’’ she said.

“Literally all the police that were there that day took off to go and handle these people. They ended up keeping them out of the city, which was good.

“Racial hate groups like that. They’re actually terrorists. They’re the terrorists in this country.’’

A spokesperson for SA Police did not address what happened on Survival Day but said it worked “with organisers of public activities to ensure the safety of all involved including events during Naidoc week’’.

“Any information regarding individuals or groups who seek to incite violence within the community is thoroughly investigated to prevent the commission of offences.’’

Last month, police said it was monitoring a white supremacist group called the European Australia Movement which was delivering racist leaflets in several Adelaide suburbs.

The group is part of a wider network of alleged white supremacist groups in South Australia, including the National Socialist Network and SA Men’s Health Club – whose leadership group member Jackson Pay has been evicted by his grandmother as he faces terrorism charges.

Natasha Wanganeen in Bunker: The Last Fleet. Picture: Supplied
Natasha Wanganeen in Bunker: The Last Fleet. Picture: Supplied

With NAIDOC week, which celebrates the culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, starting Sunday, Ms Wanganeen said the recent prominence of neo-Nazis in South Australia was “absolutely frightening’’.

“What if they start beating our kids in the street? What if they start doing that? That’s really going to kick shit off and that’s what I don’t want it to get too,’’ said Ms Wanganeen, who is heading to the US this month with her film Bunker: the Last Fleet, which is part of the LA International Short Film Festival.

Ms Wanganeen said she would stand up for her culture against the racists.

It’s a fight for our lives, for our culture, for our history and our future for our children,’’ she said. “I don’t want my daughter having to deal with the next generation of little neo-Nazi groups that come out and want to try and interrogate and intimidate us.’’

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/natasha-wanganeen-says-sa-police-stopped-neonazi-survival-day-threat/news-story/f2d188bfb2ce77fee3b9acefb163b4d0