{"id":8812,"date":"2009-10-14T14:25:03","date_gmt":"2009-10-14T04:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/slackbastard.anarchobase.com\/?p=8812"},"modified":"2009-10-14T14:25:03","modified_gmt":"2009-10-14T04:25:03","slug":"mac-statement-on-neo-nazi-attack-on-marc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slackbastard.anarchobase.com\/?p=8812","title":{"rendered":"MAC statement on neo-Nazi attack on MARC"},"content":{"rendered":"

MAC statement on neo-Nazi attack on MARC<\/a><\/h2>\n

This statement has been prepared by the \u2018Melbourne Anarchist Club\u2019 (MAC), the owners of the \u2018Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre\u2019 (62 St Georges Road, Northcote), in response to recent threatening behaviour by local neo-Nazis.<\/p>\n

It is intended to explain what has happened, and our response to it.<\/p>\n

WHAT HAPPENED<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the afternoon of Monday, September 28, 2009, four neo-Nazi skinheads, believed to belong to or to be closely associated with the neo-Nazi skinhead groups \u2018Blood & Honour Australia\u2019 and the \u2018Southern Cross Hammerskins\u2019, attended the MARC. The neo-Nazis interrupted a meeting of a group which happened to be meeting at the time (a group which campaigns against sexual violence).<\/p>\n

The neo-Nazis were highly agitated and very aggressive, confronting those present and preventing their exit by blocking the front door. They screamed and shouted, pushed over book shelves, crowded individuals, and threatened physical violence (including the use of capsicum spray or \u2018mace\u2019). The neo-Nazis demanded to know if the individuals present were \u2018antifa\u2019 (anti-fascists), and to be provided with the name and location of the blogger \u2019slackbastard\u2019. After approximately 10 minutes, they left MARC with a final \u2018Sieg Heil!\u2019.<\/p>\n

One of those present at the meeting provides the following account:<\/p>\n

At 3pm Monday the 28th of September, several of us were sitting in the Barricade bookshop when four men entered through the front door. One of them, who was carrying a can of mace [pepper spray], yelled for us to sit down and that they had a message to deliver (he also asked who was in charge!). They proceeded to deliver a message that amounted to threatening that the MARC space would be the first point of call if there was any more antifa [anti-fascist] activity in Melbourne. They pushed over two bookshelves and swept some zines off the table as they left\u2026 Nobody was hurt, and there was no damage done to the space, just some disorganised books. We were all a bit shaken, but looked after each other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is understood that the most vocal neo-Nazi was a man named Justin. Justin is in his mid- to late-30s, and has tattoos on his hands and neck. He is the Victorian organiser for \u2018Blood & Honour\u2019, and is also closely associated with the Hammerskins. It is also understood that Justin works at \u2018Hold Fast Body Art\u2019 tattoo studio in Burwood (13 Burwood Highway).<\/p>\n

During the course of their intervention at MARC, Justin informed those present that his business had been graffitied, and demanded that \u2018antifa\u2019 cease all such activity, or that there would be violent repercussions for MARC and its users. It is understood that this was a reference to an alleged incident which took place on Monday, September 14, an account of which, \u2018Anti-Fascists attack neo-Nazi\u2019s business in Burwood\u2019, was published anonymously on the Melbourne Indymedia website.<\/p>\n

There is no independent confirmation of this incident, but given Justin\u2019s subsequent behaviour, we understand it to be true.<\/p>\n

In summary: on September 14, unknown parties graffitied a tattoo shop in Burwood with \u2018anti-fascist\u2019 slogans. Two weeks later, on September 28, four neo-Nazi skinheads, including an employee at the tattoo shop in question, attended the MARC in Northcote and assaulted a meeting of a group campaigning against sexual violence, threatening further violence upon the group, MARC, and its users, unless all \u2018anti-fascist\u2019 activity in Melbourne ceased immediately.<\/p>\n

OUR RESPONSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Melbourne Anarchist Club remains committed to continuing to facilitate anarchist activity in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Thus the Melbourne Anarchist Resource Centre will continue to remain open to the public, and to be used by a variety of groups, including those campaigning for an end to sexual violence, for workers\u2019 rights, and for environmental preservation;
\nas a venue for art, music and film;
\nas a source of information on contemporary struggles for justice, as well as historical inquiry;
\nand as a continuing resource for those, like the Melbourne Anarchist Club, who want to advance the cause of revolutionary, class-struggle anarchism.<\/p>\n

In addition to reviewing, along with the various groups which make use of MARC, our security and safety procedures, the MAC is organising an Open Day for the general public.<\/p>\n

The Open Day will take place on Saturday, November 28, and will include free food, entertainment, and a variety of other activities.<\/p>\n

More details will be provided in coming weeks.<\/p>\n

All are welcome.<\/p>\n

\u00a1No pasar\u00e1n!<\/p>\n

===<\/p>\n

For more information and enquiries:<\/p>\n