Veteran groups slam the use of The Last Post, Cenotaph

More veterans have joined the cause against protesters playing The Last Post during their rallies, with all eyes on the Cenotaph this weekend.

UPDATE: A DARWIN veteran says he’s been trolled and abused for condemning the use of the Cenotaph in the anti-mandate protests.

He’s been backed by Federal Member for Solomon and former defence veteran, Luke Gosling.

Owner of the Mad Snake Cafe, Sam Weston said he received a torrent of abuse after saying the protest was offensive to veterans.

“Don’t compare it to that of a veteran, that’s highly insulting to be honest,” he said.

“They have got the right to protest but my view is they shouldn’t use the Last Post.”

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling said as a former Defence member he was appalled.

Mr Gosling said the images of swastikas, Hitler, and other far right symbols have no place at the Cenotaph where Territoritans pay their respects to the fallen, including those Australians killed by Nazi forces.

“The Cenotaph is a place of remembrance - and it is disgusting to see it used in efforts to stoke anger and hate in our community,” Mr Gosling said.

“I also condemn in the strongest possible terms the anti-Semitic hate speech made recently.

“This has no place in our society.”

Both men said they were disappointed the protesters had politicised their service to suit the anti-vax mandate protests.

Mr Weston said since he spoke out on social media he had been trolled and abused online for criticising the use of the Last Post and the Cenotaph by the anti-vax mandate marchers. .

He told a Darwin radio station his online reviews were being spammed by people in Adelaide who had never been to his cafe.

“They’re not fighting for my freedom right now,” he said.

He said he would continue to speak up for veterans, knowing that he would cop abuse from the anti-vaxxers.

Relatives of Jewish families who died in Germany in WW2 were also outraged when marchers gave the sign of white supremacy.

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission and Australia’s leading anti-hate campaigner, Dr Dvir Abramovich, said the right-wing symbols adopted by the marchers were “as ugly as it gets”.

“ I am also alarmed by an image of one of the protesters giving the ‘It’s OK to be White” hand symbol that has now become an expression of white supremacy and was used by murderer Brenton Tarrant during his March 2019 courtroom appearance in NZ.

“ It demeans the sacrifice of our valiant diggers.”

A DARWIN veteran has called for calm after a social media post caused a stir among Free in the NT supporters.

Sam Weston, who also owns Mad Snake Cafe in the CBD posted on Facebook on Monday night asking for the group to “please leave the last post for the military”.

“I’ve been getting abuse since 10pm last night,” he said.

“The simple message is don’t play The Last Post and that’s all I ask.”

Dear Sat arvo protesters please leave the last post for the military...dont compare your cause with that of the freedom...

Posted by Mad Snake Cafe Darwin on Monday, November 29, 2021

It comes after Saturday’s rally stopped at the Centotaph where The Last Post was played followed by a minute’s silence to the fallen.

Mr Weston said he was disappointed to receive backlash from the post, as he didn’t have any issue with the protests before last weekend.

“The reason we served is so they can protest — but don’t use us in their cause,” he said.

“If I can’t sit here as a veteran and say please don’t use The Last Post then what did I fight for.”

He said it was the choice of location and song that was normally reserved for the military that affected him most.
“Every time I hear that bugle I think of people I’ve lost.

It does hit a nasty spot for me.”

The protest organiser has been in touch with Mr Weston following his request, and had been open to his suggestions.

“The organiser said she could see our side as well.

“I’ve asked her if you guys could not simply parade on the Cenotaph,” he said.

Mr Weston said emotions were high among his peers as the Royal Commission into veteran suicide continues, and the display on Saturday didn’t sit right with the majority of other veterans he talked to.

“I’m the voice for my café and my community and the veteran community is really hurting right now,” he said.

He said it would be interesting to see what the next protest held.

“I’ve heard that people will hang there on Saturday and make sure it doesn’t happen again

Originally published as Veteran groups slam the use of The Last Post, Cenotaph