Neo-Nazis Allegedly Attacked Sydney Home Of BLM Activist
"I can only assume that some sections of the far-right are feeling emboldened by the situation here and overseas to go on the attack like this."
A prominent political activist says his family home in Sydney was allegedly targeted and attacked by a group of neo-Nazis.
Three white men with cropped hair and Eureka flag shirts approached university researcher and anti-racism supporter Paddy Gibson’s house on Saturday around 7.30pm, banging on the front door and demanding to speak to him.
The trio allegedly tried to force entry, kicking the door, ripping the fly screen and security grill, before smashing a glass window in with a chair. Gibson said NSW police were called, but took 30 minutes to respond. The neo-Nazis only went away once neighbours came to assist.
“The police are aware that I have received death threats before in the lead up to major Black Lives Matter rallies due to a prominent organising role, but this is a significant escalation from the far-right,” said Gibson in a statement, noting by chance his children were thankfully at their grandparent’s house.
“I can only assume that some sections of the far-right are feeling emboldened by the situation here and overseas to go on the attack like this. But we won’t be intimidated and are even more determined to organise against racism.”
It was terrifying. Thankfully my kids were at my parents place. The cops didn’t show up for half an hour, but the local community rallied, there is outrage and organising happening to ensure Nazis don’t show their face here again.
— Padraic Gibson (@paddygibson) December 5, 2021
Gibson told The Guardian that he was not aware of any specific activism of late that would have incentivised the neo-Nazis to target him, and that the men gave no reason while they were there. NSW Police are investigating the matter as ‘malicious damage’, but did not comment on the amount of time it took for officers to arrive on the scene.
“Paddy has been there on the frontline fighting alongside many of our families that suffer police violence, child removal and racism in many other forms. He also fights for people of all backgrounds who are suffering injustice,”said BLM rally organiser, and Gambaynnggirr, Dunghutti, and Bundajlung campaigner Lizzie Jarrett. “All of us doing this organising get horrible threats from far-right groups and it needs to stop.”
“Our community stands with Paddy and his family, we will not be intimidated by these Nazis and we will continue to fight side by side against the putrid racism and violence we are subjected to on our lands.”