: (AUSTRALIA) Brisbane Attorney-General Paul Lucas says he won’t block a neo-Nazi music festival, set to be held in April.
He has also dismissed calls by parliamentarians for legislative action to ensure the Hammered Music Festival cannot take place.
Independent Burnett MP Rob Messenger is planning to propose a private member’s bill that would force the state government to ban the festival.
The measure, he said, will mandate jail time and up to $300,000 in fines for anyone who organizes neo-Nazi events. He has launched an online petition to pressure both sides of parliament to support the bill.
“We are not in the business of banning people who express moronic, stupid and wrong points of view,” Lucas told the Courier-Mail newspaper in an interview.
“If they want to make total fools of themselves and demonstrate their mentality, then that’s for them. But if they incite people to violence or breach the anti-discrimination provisions… then we will refer the matter for investigation and prosecution. You can’t ban something on the basis of what people might do,” he commented.
This is not the first time the event has been held.
Organized by the Southern Cross Hammerskins and the “white resistance” group Blood and Honour Australia, the white supremacist festival is entering its third year as an annual event. Held for the first two years on the Gold Coast of Australia, this year it moved its venue to Brisbane, the third most populous city in Australia, located in the state of Queensland.
Source: www.israelnationalnews.com
United with Israel believes it is important to act for the sake of peace. YOU can help prevent this horrific event from taking place! We urge you to Send an email to attorneygeneral@ministerial.qld.gov.au expressing your protest to the Australian government for allowing a neo-Nazi festival to take place in one of its prominent cities, Brisbane.
Every person has the power to make a difference, so we ask you to take a few short moments of your time to let the Australian government know that allowing a neo-Nazi party is unacceptable and irresponsible.
ACT NOW FOR ISRAEL RIGHT HERE –> attorneygeneral@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Below are sample letters that three of our supporters wrote:
Dear Sir,
I was aghast to hear that a neo nazi festival is to be held in Brisbane in April. The fact that this is the third year just makes it even more unbelievable. In view of the fact that Australia fought along side the Allies in WWII against Nazi Germany – and in light of the horrors of that war in which the Nazis derived much satisfaction from the cruel deeds they performed against their fellow men, I find it unacceptable that anyone under the flag of Nazism should be allowed to celebrate their existance. They should be prohibited in all forms and stamped out by all means.
I have always held the view that Australia is a country which upholds Democracy in protecting it from any Fascist movements. I certainly hope that this will not be an example of its failure to do so.
Sincerely and with faith that this matter will be dealt with as expected.
Joy Moss – Rendell
Dear Attorney-General Paul Lucas,
I am writing to express my deep concern that you are allowing a neo-Nazi festival to take place in Brisbane. Allowing the neo-Nazi party to conduct this music festival is both unacceptable and irresponsible. It is not a matter of “banning people who express moronic, stupid and wrong points of view.” The problem is that it can be a powerful, dark, negative and hate-filled influence on youth and young adults…it also could tarnish the beautiful and highly respected public image of Australia. When your government takes wise measures to ban sharia law, why would you then allow the neo-Nazi party to gain a greater foothold and influence an even greater following?
It also is highly disrespectful to the state of Israel, and that alone is worth serious consideration. When WW2 ended in 1945 (my father was a member of the 8th Armored Division), roughly 416,800 American military personnel had lost their lives. They fought to end Nazi hatred and aggression, to put an end to white supremacy. Please do not give it a new breeding ground in Brisbane. Do not underestimate the power that music holds over people. To you, they make themselves look like fools, but to the young and less-experienced who do not have your wisdom, many could find this to be very alluring.
Respectfully yours,
Fran Galvis
USA
Mr. Paul Lucas, Attorney General,
It is not too late to deplore, and to prevent, such an outrageous assembly as the Hammered Music Festival that thrives on hating and propagandizing against other people groups.
I commend to you Independent Burnett MP Rob Messenger is planning to propose a private member’s bill that would force the state government to ban the festival.
I commend to you such a sensible suggestion on behalf of public opinion.
This skinhead event is not simply an isolated event, but can be seen around the world according to how it is tolerated in Australia.
There are many wonderful Australian and former Australian citizens in my town of Vernon, BC Canada including a pastor in a local church I attend.
(Rev Kon Bariesheff)
If gatherings like this are tolerated in Australia this will be seen in the light of international public opinion around the world.
Last October 2011 an Australian church leader spoke to a Christian Ministers’ Association annual conference held in Vernon as the guest speaker.
Mr. Rob Rufus commented publicly he had seen in Australia, racism beyond that of his native South Africa.
Is that the way you want the nation and people of Australia to be spoken of, 16,000 kilometers away?
We face the same racial bigotry from a minority in Canada today; but that is not how we are known internationally.
Mr. Lucas, please do not be another Mr. Chamberlain.
History records he had nothing to say when Prime Minister Churchill soon afterward, had to soon mobilize Britain for war after Mr. Chamberlain’s acquiescence toward Adolph Hitler.
Mr. Lucas, the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Please do not let Australians around the globe have to feel embarrassed of their homeland.
Sincerely,
Richard Rasmussen
Please ‘SHARE’ this with your family and friends, so they too can have the opportunity to make a difference for the Jewish People and take a strong stand for peace.