Launceston Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood faces backlash on Reddit over hand symbol at Mainstreet Australia Awards

Launceston’s Acting Mayor has denied claims he threw up a white supremacy symbol while posing for photos at a community awards ceremony. SEE THE PHOTOS >

Matthew Garwood. Picture: Chris Pavlich.

Launceston’s Acting Mayor has denied claims he threw up a white supremacy symbol while posing for photos at a community awards ceremony in Melbourne.

Matthew Garwood faced backlash on social media platform Reddit last week when a user posted a photo of the inked politician holding Launceston’s winning entries from the Mainstreet Australia Awards on May 19.

The photos appear to show Mr Garwood making a sign that has been adopted by white supremacists. The Acting Mayor denies the claim, saying he was merely looking for “something to do” with his hands during the photo shoot.

Launceston Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood has shut down the claims. Picture: Mainstreet Australia.

A caption above the Reddit post reads: “Is Lonnie’s (sic) acting mayor giving a white pride symbol here?”

Users flooded the post with comments, some citing the claim as ludicrous while others said the hand symbol was related to white supremacy.

There has been much debate over the symbol, with some people saying it had long been used to mean ‘OK’, while others claiming the hand gesture expressed racist sentiment.

Mr Garwood shot down the speculation, saying “people who know me know that I value every single cultural facet of our community” and the symbol was based off an “internet meme”.

One Reddit user said it was a white pride symbol.

“Literally just Google white pride symbol. All of the first results are about the OK sign. Either stop playing dumb or stop being dumb,” they wrote.

They added: “It’s possible (despite what the other people commenting seem to think) but it’s impossible to know. For someone who is the Acting Mayor, who has spent substantial time on a national television show, it seems improbable that he isn’t aware of the ‘white pride’ implication.”

Mr Garwood used the symbol twice while posing for photos at the awards. Picture: Mainstreet Australia.

Another user wrote: “In what world is the OK sign considered a white pride symbol. You guys are bonkers and pulling at straws here.”

One other said “unlikely to be a white pride symbol”.

Another added: “I think you’re massively overthinking it. Met him a bunch of times, seems like a lovely guy. Great singer.”

One Reddit user also dismissed the claims, saying “Oh god, yes the small city of Launceston in Tasmania has been infiltrated with the white loving Illuminati. Gullible much?”

But another was unsure, saying “I don’t know. I remember that the OK symbol was used by white supremacists in 2018-19.”

Mr Garwood issued the Mercury with a statement, strenuously denying the claims the symbol had anything to do with white pride.

Mr Garwood has said he will be running for Mayor after Danny Gibson announced his resignation. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“People who know me know that I value every single cultural facet of our community, and that I am dedicated to inclusivity for people from all backgrounds,” he said.

“I’ve occasionally used this symbol when posing for photos as it’s something to do with my hands in what might otherwise be an awkward shot.

“It’s based on an old internet meme of ‘made you look’, and is designed to be a good humoured bit of fun, and nothing more.”

The Launceston singer-turned-councillor who rose to fame on reality music show The Voice announced earlier this month he would be running for Mayor after Danny Gibson announced his resignation.

Launceston secured three wins at the Mainstreet Australia Awards, which recognises business and community excellence in regional towns.

Launceston took out Best Activation or Event under $100,000 for its North Festival, Best Marketing Campaign for its Fire & Fog event and Best Regional Main Street or Town Centre.