Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell sparks outrage over far-right gym plans

A Melbourne neo-Nazi leader who bashed a Channel 9 security guard is organising a two-day event involving weightlifting and seminars about white power.

Victoria Police say there will be a ‘highly visible police presence at the gym over the weekend to prevent tensions from boiling over’. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Police will be out in force in a bid to thwart mounting tensions sparked by a highly divisive neo-Nazi gym meet-up.

Far-fight leader Thomas Sewell, who was convicted of assaulting a Channel 9 security guard, is planning a “white power lifting meet” at a notorious gym linked to white nationalists this weekend.

Members of the European Australian Movement, which Sewell founded, plan to descend on the Legacy Boxing Gym in Sunshine North this weekend to participate in a mix of gym sessions and “seminars” about white power.

In a move that has outraged members of the community over fears children could attend the event, a flyer has been distributed that said: “Australia for the white man!” and depicts symbols associated with the movement.

Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell is planning a ‘white power lifting meet’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

The group is planning events at the gym as well as other seminars to be held at a secret location for a pre-approved list of white nationalists.

Members from the powerlifting community have told the Herald Sun they are “disgusted” by the event.

A prominent Victorian powerlifting member said: “As a community, we are repulsed by the actions of this group.”

“The powerlifting community is a family-friendly community and we are very angered by the disgraceful actions of these individuals,” she said.

The powerlifting member said people were concerned about children attending the meet-up.

“Children have attended their events before and this concerns all of us. Young people should not be indoctrinated.”

The European Australian Movement’s planned event has sparked outrage. Picture: Picture: David Crosling

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich slammed the “sickening and reprehensible” gym event.

“This is a disturbing reminder that the white supremacist movement in Melbourne is feeling emboldened and is on an unprecedented recruitment drive to lure young people to join their ranks and embrace a cruel and dangerous ideology,” he said.

“This evil must be confronted and defeated, and when the forces of fear and division rear their ugly head, we must stand together to declare in one voice that there is no place for such bigotry in our state.”

It comes after about 100 people gathered on the steps of Geelong’s City Hall on Tuesday night to rally against a white supremacist group that targeted the city in a series of recent anti-immigration stunts.

A group of masked men, believed to be from Melbourne-based neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Alliance (NSN), posed in front of City Hall and the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) Geelong headquarters, holding a banner that read: “Stop immigration. Keep Geelong white.”

More than 100 people attended a rally in Geelong to protest recent neo-Nazi events. Picture: Alan Barber

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there would be a “highly visible police presence at the gym over the weekend to prevent tensions from boiling over.

“We respect the right for individuals to protest and demonstrate their views, but hate and prejudice hold no place in our community and we will not tolerate any offensive or anti-social behaviour.

“Anyone coming into the area to cause trouble or act in a violent manner can expect a firm and swift response from police.”

Sewell, 29, was last year found guilty of repeatedly punching a Channel 9 security guard outside the network’s Docklands studio in March 2021, during which he hurled racial abuse at the guard.