Summary

Jacob Hersant, a self-described Nazi, was sentenced to one month in prison, becoming the first person in Australia jailed for performing an outlawed Nazi salute.

Convicted in Victoria for making the salute outside a courthouse in October, Hersant’s act followed new legislation banning the gesture.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet justified the sentence, citing Hersant’s intent to promote Nazi ideology publicly.

Hersant’s lawyer argued that his actions were nonviolent and claimed they were protected as political expression, stating plans to appeal the ruling on constitutional grounds.

  • Victoria
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    45
    ·
    15 days ago

    I’m sorry, since when was being a nazi in public in any way tolerable? We aren’t talking about “I don’t like cereal” here, the nazis were arguably one of the darkest times of our history. Trying to revive it is absolutely not acceptable.

    • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      15 days ago

      Never give the government power that you would not want turned against you because governments change. I vehemently disagree with their cause, but I would also vehemently defend their right to express their opinion.

      • Krzd@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        24
        ·
        14 days ago

        Nazi ideology is never an opinion. It’s a threat to human rights and democracy.

        • prole
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          27
          ·
          14 days ago

          No, we’ve just seen enough at this point to understand that absolute freedom of speech/expression is a mistake.

          • chingadera@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            14 days ago

            I’ve seen the right redefine woke and legislate it on a whim to prosecute political enemies, what’s stopping the opposition from using this law against you or I?

            The world is more complex than that, and I’m sure you know it.

            • Dasus@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              11
              ·
              14 days ago

              It’s also more complex than “they sanctioned someone who is adamant about being a literal nazi, so we have to go show support to fascism”.

              Germany learned their lesson 80 years ago. The US thinks anything goes. And how is that going, recently?

              Even with the absolutist free speech the US is known for, there are still reasonable limitations to it. Like fighting words and yelling fire in a crowded theatre.

              You understand things are complex yet advocate for something absolute? O.o