Neo-Nazi group hijacks family-friendly Moonee Ponds youth festival, performs ‘Hitler salute’

A youth festival in Moonee Ponds was hijacked by a group of Neo-Nazis chanting hate speech and performing a Hitler salute.

A group of neo-Nazis hijacked a family-friendly youth festival in Moonee Ponds last Friday.

A dozen neo-Nazis disrupted a family-friendly youth festival before performing the Hitler salute in Moonee Ponds on Friday.

The group of men, who are believed to be members of the National Socialist Network, conducted the protest during a drag performance at Queen’s Park.

The group unfurled two banners, which said: “Demon Flesh” and “Drag Pedos Groom Kids”.

One of the drag performers shared details of the incident online.

“We were having an absolutely fab time at Youth Fest today, until neo-Nazis showed up to protest me,” the performer posted online.

The group of men are believed to be National Socialist Network members.

“They had a wonderful time screaming ‘are there any Jews here’, giving the good ol’ Nazi salute and screaming at me for being ‘demon flesh’.

“Assistance with reporting them would be super appreciated.”

Moonee Valley Councillor Rose Iser condemned the protest.

“Unfortunately, the inclusive values embedded in the entertainment attracted hate-speech and intolerance in the form of a handful of extremist protesters,” Cr Iser said.

“The Moonee Ponds police did a magnificent job keeping everyone safe from intimidating chants from people who really should have had better things to do on a sunny Friday.

“Thank you to all of the families and staff members who ignored the hate and filled the park with love and laughter, and stayed loud and proud.

“Everyone, of any race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation, is welcome in the Valley of Moonee.”

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said antisemitism, bigotry and white supremacism were growing in Victoria.

“It is clear that all bets are off in the war that these hardcore Aryans have declared against us, and that the lid has been taken of the sewer of pure racism,” he said.

No arrests were made at the event.

“I am sure it would be painful and horrifying for Holocaust survivors to hear about such incidents which they probably thought they would never see in their own lifetime.

“Our diggers did not sacrifice their lives to defeat the Third Reich so that these Hitler worshippers can openly salute and celebrate Hitler’s murderous legacy without consequence.

“We cannot ignore this form of extremism.”

Victoria Police confirmed they were called to the event.

“Police were called to an event about 12pm after a group of 12 protesters attended and caused a disruption,” a statement said.

“A counter protest group attended and police were there to ensure no breaches of the peace occurred.

“The event concluded and all parties left the area. No arrests were made.”

The daylight festival was touted as a family-friendly event to celebrate youth month and the conclusion of the school holidays.

Other activities featured was a ukulele workshop, live music, food trucks and an eco-glitter station.