Female MPs subjected to rape, death threats after Nazi rally

Two female members of the NSW State Parliament from Sydney have been targeted with threatening messages, including rape and death threats, following a neo-Nazi rally held on the steps of the state parliament. Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane and Wentworth MP Allegra Spender both reported these disturbing threats to NSW Police after speaking out against the protesters, who were opposing what they called the “Jewish lobby.” The threats, circulated on platforms like Telegram and X, included vile language and sexual violence. Due to the harassment, Sloane decided to delete her X account, though she remains determined to keep speaking out against such behavior. About 60 members of the National Socialist Network (NSN), a known neo-Nazi group, gathered for the rally on Saturday morning. They carried a large banner demanding the abolition of the “Jewish Lobby” and wore dark uniforms with the NSN insignia prominently displayed on their jackets. While some protesters attempted to hide their identities with hats or sunglasses, many openly showed their faces, signaling a growing boldness in the group’s public presence. The rally featured speeches from two NSN leaders who expressed openly antisemitic views, invoking harmful stereotypes about Jewish power and influence while promoting white supremacist ideas. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon explained that the rally was legally approved after a notice was lodged by a group leader on October 28 with Sydney City Local Area Command. Despite the inflammatory nature of the protest, police acknowledged that the organizers followed the proper channels. Commissioner Lanyon attributed the police’s inadvertent approval to an internal communication error rather than deliberate oversight. He emphasized that NSW Police manage a large volume of protests annually — over a thousand this year — and that sometimes not every event is thoroughly briefed up to higher ranks. Premier Chris Minns expressed his confusion and concern over how the rally was approved without proper police awareness. He said the police commissioner was unaware beforehand and that an inquiry is underway to prevent a repeat of such incidents. Regarding law enforcement’s response during the rally, Commissioner Lanyon stated that because the protest was authorized, police could not issue move-on orders unless the protesters broke the law. However, he also mentioned that any future rallies by the NSN would likely be challenged in the NSW Supreme Court. The situation underscores the tensions between protecting freedoms of assembly and speech while confronting hate speech and extremist groups. The threats against female MPs highlight the dangerous climate for public figures who oppose extremist views. Both Sloane and Spender’s courage in speaking out has unfortunately been met with vile intimidation tactics, raising questions about safeguarding elected officials and ensuring accountability for organized hate groups. The unfolding inquiry into the police's handling of the rally aims to clarify mishaps and prevent similar oversights in the future.