Premier depicted as Nazi leader, residents encouraged to ‘resist’ wearing masks in shocking vandal attack
Coronavirus conspirators have littered a southeast suburb with anti-mask messages, depicting Premier Daniel Andrews as Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. The vandals also made wild claims that face masks “don’t work” and urged residents to “resist” wearing them.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier Daniel Andrews has been targeted by vandals after a poster depicting him as Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was discovered in Melbourne’s southeast.
And a number of anti-mask posters encouraging residents to “resist” wearing face masks were also found littered in Highett on Friday morning.
Sandringham state Liberal MP Brad Rowswell said police were called after the poster, depicting Mr Andrews with a swastika on his forehead and a toothbrush moustache, was found stuck to a traffic sign near the corner of Highett and Spring roads.
Two anti-mask signs were also found stuck to an Australia Post box and bus stop nearby.
‘Masks don’t work. They are for slaves. You are not a slave. Take it off. Resist,’ the signs read.
“Highett is a proudly inclusive and welcoming … community and local residents will be shocked and deeply saddened by this disgraceful attack,” Mr Rowswell said.
“The use of Nazi symbolism in this manner is in no way a reflection on our community and I look forward to working with local police and residents to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour.”
Opposition police spokesman Police David Southwick called for a ban on the public display of the offensive symbol.
“This cowardly attack is entirely unacceptable and using Nazi imagery as a tool for making a political point is simply disgraceful.
“This incident highlights the need for a clear ban on the public display of the Nazi Swastika.”
The incident follows a shocking anti-sematic graffiti attack at Cranbourne Golf Club, where vandals sprayed swastikas and obscene images across the green in May.
The Anti-Defamation Commission slammed the attack as “horrifying” and “disturbing”.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
MORE NEWS
MORE COLES WORKERS TEST POSITIVE