MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – On April 25, 2023, during the commemoration of Anzac Day, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned protesters who disrupted dawn services in Melbourne and Perth. Anzac Day is a significant national holiday in Australia, honoring the country's war dead, particularly those who served at Gallipoli during World War I.
Albanese referred to the disruptions as “beyond contempt,” emphasizing that those responsible should face legal consequences. He described the actions of the protesters as “an act of low cowardice” on a day meant to honor courage and sacrifice.
The protests occur amidst a heightened political climate ahead of the general elections scheduled for May 3, where Indigenous rights are emerging as a crucial campaign issue. Anzac Day is typically regarded as a day of unity and respect, where political demonstrations are generally avoided.
The disruptions began around the Welcome to Country ceremony, a traditional practice where Indigenous leaders welcome attendees to their ancestral land. In Melbourne, during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance, a group of hecklers, including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant, booed and jeered as 50,000 gathered to honor fallen soldiers. In Perth, a lone protester attempted to disrupt a service at Kings Park but was quickly silenced by the surrounding crowd.
The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria expressed their condemnation of the disruptive behavior during the Welcome to Country ceremony, calling it a racist attack. Albanese labeled the events in both cities as a “disgrace,” reiterating that such conduct has no place in Australia.
In Melbourne, heckling continued throughout the service, especially whenever speakers acknowledged Indigenous soldiers or landowners. Protesters shouted phrases such as “this is our country” and “we don’t have to be welcomed,” reflecting rhetoric from the minor party Trumpet of Patriots, funded by mining tycoon Clive Palmer and inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies. However, the disruptive voices were drowned out by applause from attendees supporting the speakers.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, defended the Welcome to Country ceremonies, asserting their importance in official commemorative events. He criticized the booing, emphasizing the need for respect for diverse opinions in a democratic society. He acknowledged Australia’s proud Indigenous heritage, advocating for its celebration on Anzac Day.
At the Melbourne service, police escorted Hersant away, who is known as a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and has previously been convicted for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. Hersant, who remains free on bail pending an appeal, expressed that he feels humiliated by Indigenous leaders. His lawyer did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding his comments.
Victoria Police confirmed that a 26-year-old Melbourne man was directed to leave the service following a complaint of offensive behavior, and he was to be summoned to court. There were reports of at least one other protester being forcibly removed for expressing white supremacist slogans. The Western Australia Police Force continues to investigate the disruptions in Perth, reinforcing that any disorder during solemn commemorations will not be tolerated.
