‘Sickening’: Melbourne neo-Nazi powerlifting event causes outrage

A neo-Nazi powerlifting meet at a Melbourne gym this weekend has been slammed as “sickening and reprehensible”.

A neo-Nazi gym meet-up is being held in Melbourne this weekend with police promising to be out in full force.

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

The gym is notorious for its links to neo-Nazi activists.

Sewell escaped jail time in January after he repeatedly punched a Nine Network security guard in the head in 2021. He performed a Nazi salute outside court.

Following the power lifting meet on Saturday, there will be seminars and speeches on “white power” on Sunday.

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

A post advertising the event online. Picture: Supplied

Thomas Sewell performing a Nazi salute outside court in January. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Dr Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Melbourne-based non-profit Anti-Defamation Commission, said the event was “stomach-churning”.

“This sickening and reprehensible re-creation of Nazi Germany in the guise of a sporting event will shock the conscience and send chills down the spine of every Victorian and resident in the area who will rightly feel unsafe,” he said.

He said it was “a disturbing reminder” that the white supremacist movement in Melbourne was on an recruitment drive.

“Imagine what would happen if one of the individuals present at this reprehensible gathering is radicalised by absorbing all the poisonous rhetoric they hear and then encounters a visibly identifiable Jewish person or a member of an ethnic group on the street?” he said.

Thomas Sewell stands by his group of National Socialist Network neo-Nazis. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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

“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,” a spokeswoman said.

“There will be a highly visible police presence in the area on Saturday to prevent breaches of the peace and maintain community safety.

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

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.