‘Never again’: Protest at Melbourne neo-Nazi powerlifting event

A gym in Melbourne has been swarmed by Aussies wanting to send a message about a twisted event that was being hosted there.

Protesters have shown up outside a Melbourne gym where a neo-Nazi powerlifting meet is being held.

Australian white supremacist groups, the European Australian Movement and National Socialist Network, led by Thomas Sewell, were hosting a “WHITE POWER Lifting Meet” at Legacy Boxing Gym in Sunshine West on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, there will be seminars and speeches at a separate venue, according to a post advertising the event.

“We implore members of the wider national community to celebrate the movement’s exponential growth with us,” the post read.

Protesters chanted outside the gym on Saturday. Picture: Tony Gough

Protesters gathered outside of the gym to show opposition to what was going on inside.

“No hate, no fear! Nazi’s are not welcomed here,” the group of 300 chanted.

The protest was run by the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism group.

“Never again. That’s our message. Neo-Nazis are desperately trying to build a following, and they’re doing it in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most multicultural suburbs,” said Jasmine Duff, rally organiser for Campaign Against Racism and Fascism.

“We’re protesting to show that we stand intransigently against Nazism, and against racism and bigotry in all its forms. We’re fighting for a world where no one has to live in fear of fascism, racism or oppression.”

About 300 people attended the protest. Picture: Tony Gough

There was a high police presence. Picture: Tony Gough

“Communities have fought against these hate groups before and won, and we can do it again,” Ms Duff said.

“We need to send a strong message that their ideas, events and groups are unacceptable to the community and we won’t stand by and let them carry on. We will show that the community supports the rights of all migrants and refugees to settle in Australia.”

This isn’t the only protest the group has held against the gym, with 500 people expressing their anger in a protest earlier this year.

It’s not the first protest by the group outside the gym. Picture: Tony Gough

Victoria Police said earlier this week they were aware of the event on Saturday and were also aware of a protest being organised in response.

Earlier this year, when responding to allegations about the gym’s neo-Nazi links, Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire said there was “no place for racism” in the community.

“On behalf of our community, Brimbank City Council condemns any intolerant, racist or fascist activity – or sentiment – within Brimbank, and in any other place,” he said.

He said almost half the community’s residents were born overseas and Brimbank was a Refugee Welcome Zone.

news.com.au attempted to contact the gym for comment.

Originally published as ‘Never again’: Protest at Melbourne neo-Nazi powerlifting event