'We don't want them': Neo-Nazi group says it will disband ahead of new laws
www.abc.net.au
In a statement posted to Telegram, the group announced the closure of the National Socialist Network would also spell the end of "co-projects" White Australia, the European Australian Movement and the White Australia Party.
  • Mantzy81@aussie.zoneEnglish
    40·
    16 hours ago

    Disband or go underground? Nobody decided “hmmm, maybe it’s wrong to be a bigot”

    • TheGoldenV@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      15 hours ago

      I was thinking it would be harder for them to recruit if you take away their ability to advertise. I’d take bigots shutting up as a good first baby step.

      • Mantzy81@aussie.zoneEnglish
        9·
        15 hours ago

        I always prefer my bigots to be out in the open. Easier to track who they are and what they’re up to if they’re not clouding it in secrecy.

    • fizzle@quokk.auEnglish
      8·
      13 hours ago

      I think this is correct - they will scuttle away to whatever holes they can find.

      I agree is that it’s nice for them to be easily identifiable, but it does lend them credibility which is problematic. Like these guys were going to form a political party. I don’t really want them to be legitimised in that way - as though their opinions might be unpopular but it’s just one of many ideologies.

      • eureka@aussie.zoneEnglish
        5·
        13 hours ago

        they will scuttle away to whatever holes they can find

        The March for Australia (26th Jan) is a nice sunny hole for them - we’ve seen that they have members as official marshals and event organisers. They’ll probably try and sneak into One Nation, since they had trouble infiltrating the Young Nationals last time. And as The Age’s expert suggested, they’ll probably resume their “active club” formations, minus the uniforms.

        • fizzle@quokk.auEnglish
          2·
          11 hours ago

          Yeah I think with the current legislation emerging they’re really forced to make a big song and dance about disbanding. However, once the legislation is inked they will no doubt re-form in whatever way they need to avoid being criminalised.

      • Mantzy81@aussie.zoneEnglish
        2·
        12 hours ago

        Legitimising them iss a choice. I’m keen on open ridicule and pelting with rotten vegetables (metaphorically if nothing else). Most would steer clear of them then and still allow them to be open about their views and the benefits that provides. We just seem to have lost the ability to openly deride bigots for fear of hurting their feelings, when they openly want to destroy the fabric of our open and multicultural society - they don’t deserve that respect.

        • fizzle@quokk.auEnglish
          3·
          11 hours ago

          WDYM legitimising them is a choice?

          In the minds of idiots, of which we have many, forming a political party means they have serious well constructed ideas. You might like weetbix and vote labor, I might like fruit loops and vote NSN.

          It also gives them a platform. Journalists will consult them for comment because they drive engagement. Before you know it someone will have a regular spot on a Sky News panel.

          Legitimising them may technically be a choice, but I have no faith that we as a society would make the correct choice.

          • Mantzy81@aussie.zoneEnglish
            1·
            8 hours ago

            Hence the vegetables…or maybe the return of Eggboy.

            But seriously, all those who just let them speak their mind or form a party, or invite them onto their shows or choosing to up engagement are making a choice to legitimatimise them. Giving them a platform to “provide a different opinion” is a choice. Not pushing back on their bigotry is a choice.

            Choosing to rip them to shreds is a different choice. Not allowing them to spread their bigotry is another choice. Keeping them visible but not engaging with them is a choice.

            They wouldn’t have the build-up to form a party, or if they did, it would be a miserable little party that would die soon afterwards. It doesn’t have to be difficult to fight fascists. It primarily takes pushback, ridicule and deplatforming. Not pushing them underground. People need to be exposed to their bigotry too so they realise the path they shouldn’t take - it’s literally a major reason we study political history or history in general. As humans, one of the reasons we’ve been successful as a species is pattern recognition - it’s what we do. We see similarities between times and feelings and movements. Hopefully so we can learn from them. Oftentimes we don’t and those who know their history can just sit back and shake their heads.

            • fizzle@quokk.auEnglish
              2·
              8 hours ago

              seriously, all those who just let them speak their mind or form a party, or invite them onto their shows or choosing to up engagement are making a choice to legitimatimise them. Giving them a platform to “provide a different opinion” is a choice

              Yes but as I said, society is not going to make the right choice.

  • eureka@aussie.zoneEnglish
    3·
    13 hours ago

    Wonderful news. I agree with (Ross?) in The Age that they’re likely to regress to their “active club” stage.

    Reminder that this group’s members and sympathisers made clear plans to counter protest Invasion Day marches. It wouldn’t be wise to assume the dedicated neo-Nazis would suddenly abandon their efforts simply because their organisation is disbanding to avoid imprisonment - they have shown with the March for Australia rallies their willingness for deception, such as acting in plain clothes and as staff/marshals while others wear their uniform. So it’s vital we show up on the 26th and make sure these scum stay gone for a while.