Deport Thomas Sewell NOW: Aussies demand neo-Nazi leader is sent back to his own country as petition reaches 45,000 signatures in just three days
Almost 45,000 people have signed a petition calling for neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell to be deported back to New Zealand.
The 32-year-old was allegedly among a group of men dressed in black who stormed Camp Sovereignty in King’s Domain on Sunday afternoon following the March for Australia rally in Melbourne’s CBD.
Footage showed Sewell and supporter Nathan Bull lashing out at people gathered at the camp, the site of remains of Indigenous people from 38 clans.
Sewell and two other men, aged 23 and 20, were charged in relation to a Victoria Police investigation into the alleged assaults on Tuesday.
Among the offences he is facing, New Zealand-born Sewell was slapped with violent disorder, affray, assault by kicking and discharge missile.
He has not entered any pleas and has been remanded to appear in court on Wednesday.
In the three days since the alleged attack, a Change.org petition to have Sewell deported from Australia has gained 44,895 signatures.
The organiser, Constitutional Reformist, called on a change to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to enable a High Court deportation of Thomas Sewell back to New Zealand.
Almost 45,000 people have signed a petition to deport neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell (pictured) from Australia after he was seen among a group storming an Aboriginal camp
A group of men dressed in black, including Sewell, lashed out at people at Camp Sovereignty in King’s Domain on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne (pictured)
‘We are not backing down. We are evolving. And we are demanding a legal system that protects communities, not extremists,’ they said.
The approach of the petition has two steps: the first is to revoke Sewell’s Australian citizenship ‘through a court-authorised process, based on his violent extremist conduct and likely dual nationality’.
The organiser then said they want urgent reform of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.
‘So that individuals convicted of serious hate-fuelled crimes can have their citizenship revoked and be subject to deportation with full judicial oversight and constitutional safeguards,’ they said.
There have also been calls for Sewell to be deported on social media, including from Aussie-born Islander influencer Tomasi Mariner who posts under ‘Tommy the Cowboy’.
‘New Zealand, come and get this f***head and take him back to your country, we don’t want him here,’ he said on TikTok on Tuesday.
Police officers arrested Sewell and two other men outside Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday at 3.20pm following an eventful morning for the far-right figure.
On Tuesday morning, Sewell warned Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan she would be ‘punished’ if he ever gained power.
TikTok influencer Tomasi Mariner (pictured), who posts under ‘Tommy the Cowboy’, also called for Sewell, who was born in New Zealand, to be deported from Australia
‘When people like me take power, these people are going to be punished for the crimes they have committed against Australia,’ he said.
Sewell then said ‘Heil Australia’ before being seen smiling while arrested by a group of officers.
Sewell and the two other men, aged 23 and 20, were interviewed in relation to an ongoing investigation into alleged assaults in King’s Domain.
Hours later, the trio were charged with several offences each.
The 23-year-old man, from Mooroolbark, has been charged with violent disorder, affray and assault by kicking.
The 20-year-old man, who is from Ardeer, has been charged with violent disorder, affray and discharge missile.
The two young men have been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 December.
Detectives continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with any information or footage that may assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sewell was charged on Tuesday with several offences in relation to a Victoria Police investigation into the affray at Camp Sovereignty. He has not entered any pleas
Prior to his arrest, Sewell had crashed the press conference of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan where he shouted at her over her stance on the right to protest
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the attack on Camp Sovereignty was like nothing she had seen in her nearly 10-year parliamentary career.
‘These people brazenly and openly did not care if they were seen,’ she said.
Sewell on Tuesday morning appeared inside the courthouse to cross-examine a police officer he is accused of intimidating, on top of charges for breaching a personal safety intervention order in October last year.
After a lunch break, prosecutor Melissa Mahady told the Melbourne court there had been a ‘safety issue’ but claimed it was ‘not related’ to Sewell, the Herald Sun reported.
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson closed the court to discuss the matter with the prosecutor, meaning media and other observers were removed from the courtroom.
Earlier, Allan was speaking to journalists in Melbourne to spruik her government’s work-from-home policy when Sewell interrupted.
Flanked by Bull, Sewell began yelling at Allan over her stance on the right to protest.
Several men stepped in to keep Sewell away from the premier as she, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes and upper house Labor MP Sheena Watt walked away.
‘Shouldn’t people have the right to speak in their own country, you coward… you’re a coward and we’re going to take this country back from politicians like you,’ Sewell shouted.
Allan in December announced legislation to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after Sewell led a series of marches with masked black-clad men.
The reforms are yet to be introduced to state parliament and may be scaled back.
