Melbourne, Australia — Aboriginal leaders are calling for a hate crime investigation into the violent assault on an Indigenous protest camp, Camp Sovereignty, which was attacked by a group of men linked to far-right ideologies. The incident unfolded after an anti-immigration rally in the city, where around 40 individuals, led by known extremist Thomas Sewell, confronted the camp.
Robbie Thorpe, a founder of Camp Sovereignty and an Aboriginal elder, reported that the attackers primarily targeted women, causing damage to Indigenous flags and injuring several participants. Thorpe revealed that two people were hospitalized due to the assault, with one suffering a significant head wound.
Witness accounts describe the attackers chanting slogans including “white power” and using violent language during the assault. Thorpe characterized the event as premeditated, asserting that it was a form of organized terrorism aimed at instilling fear within the Indigenous community and migrants alike. “These individuals, ironically, are migrants themselves, waving a foreign flag,” he stated.
In response to the attack, Victoria’s Police Minister, Anthony Carbines, announced that counterterrorism officials would assist in the investigation to ascertain the involvement of the National Socialist Network. Thorpe emphasized that the attack should not only be regarded as violence but as a calculated act of terrorism, reflecting a deep-seated hatred for Aboriginal peoples.
Thorpe lamented the presence of extreme nationalism in Australia, expressing concern over a rise in such ideologies amid increasing awareness of First Nations history. He urged police to have been more vigilant, particularly during the earlier violent clashes between anti-immigration and pro-Palestine protestors on the same day.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe echoed these concerns, labeling the attack as a hate crime. She reported that children in the community are now fearful of attending school due to the violent events. While welcoming the police involvement, she called for a broader inquiry, stressing the responsibility of federal authorities in addressing hate crimes.
Camp Sovereignty serves as a peaceful gathering space and holds cultural significance, being the final resting place of various Aboriginal ancestors. Thorpe reiterated the camp’s purpose: to foster community, education, and healing. He stressed the importance of acknowledging that Aboriginal sovereignty was never relinquished, contrasting it against the aggressive ideologies of the attackers.
This incident is not an isolated one, as groups with similar extremist views, including the National Socialist Network, have a history of targeting Aboriginal communities and disrupting significant cultural events. The federal government has condemned the attack, with both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy expressing outrage over the incident.
Victoria’s First Peoples Assembly has offered its support to Camp Sovereignty, reinforcing the necessity of cultural recognition and justice. “Our sovereignty remains strong, and our vision for a better future will not waver,” the assembly articulated, emphasizing the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of hostility.