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.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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    1 month ago

    I have a reason to post a Riker after what happened in the U.S. on Tuesday! Oh god, it’s better than therapy…

  • FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Good.

    It was a mistake letting Nazis and others practice their terrorist views in public. Freedom of expression is not and never should be an absolute right.

    • ArchRecord@lemm.ee
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      1 month ago

      I understand why people seem to think we should tolerate these views, because “muh free speech,” but to them, I say:

      • Honytawk@lemmy.zip
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        1 month ago

        The paradox of tolerance doesn’t exist once you understand that tolerance is a social contract.

        If one party doesn’t adhere to the contract, then the other party also doesn’t have to either.

  • yamanii@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It’s the tolerance paradox, you can’t tolerate these people and have a peaceful democracy. This is the answer.

  • in4aPenny@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Didn’t we used to kill Nazi’s and celebrate their demise in movies like Indiana Jones?

  • Dasus@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    “My support of political ideologies which directly propose genocide is completely non-violent, trust me bro.”

    • Danquebec@sh.itjust.works
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      1 month ago

      I think it’s to clarify that it’s not coming from the judgement of the newspaper. The Nazi himself is calling himself a Nazi. So, there’s no doubt about it.

    • AeonFelis@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Since I doubt he is a certified member of the National Socialist Party, I’d argue the more accurate term would be “neo-Nazi”.

  • Mango@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It’s pretty absolutely bullshit to be jailed for wrongthink and a hand gesture. That’s some Winnie the Pooh shit.

    • chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Tolerance is a social contract. Those who deny it to others aren’t protected by it.

      • Mango@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Do you just rape a girl because it’s intolerance when she tells you no?

        • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          Man, that is some seriously fucked up shit to say. Not only did you miss the point, you pointed out you are a massive incel. Have fun defending Nazis.

          • Mango@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            I don’t care that he’s a Nazi. I care that what I consider to be his inviolable rights have been violated. His political shit should be as free to express as any other. Imagine it Trump goes and makes it illegal to indicate yourself as a Democrat. Wouldn’t be surprised if he did that after seeing your attitude, because I’m sure you’re more reasonable than him and doing it anyhow.

            • Rice_Daddy@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              Tolerance of intolerance is not a path to freedom. Choosing to do nothing will only mean that rights and freedoms will be destroyed. Call this the lesser of two evils if you must.

              If you let intolerance fester, it will grow and take control, then it will start hurting and squeezing others. It’d be foolish to sacrifice freedom in the name of freedom.

              • Mango@lemmy.world
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                1 month ago

                So why do you think I should tolerate this? Why is your intolerance excused?

                • Rice_Daddy@lemmy.world
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                  1 month ago

                  Are you worried about being jailed for Nazi views? So you should be, and consider yourself lucky. I’d rather have you jailed for a month to hopefully learn your lesson that we don’t take to hatred and violence lightly, than to allow you a platform to gather support so you can hurt and kill millions.

                • Valmond@lemmy.world
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                  1 month ago

                  Tolerate what exactly? Not following the law? Tolerate the law that is in favour of freedom and democracy?

                  Edit: you font discuss in good faith so just forget it.

            • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              Yeah, I get it. You support hate speech and Nazis under the guise of free speech. I wouldn’t be surprised if date rape is the only way you will ever get laid.

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  1 month ago

                  Not really. You thought bringing up raping a woman flippantly in a discussion was legitimate thus outing yourself as an incel.

                  This is really simple. Hate speech is not protected speech. Arguing about free speech in the context of Nazism is just a dog whistle for racists. So now you are a racist incel. I think you see where this is going.

                  On a personal level. Go find a new schtick. If you don’t want to be known as a Nazi, don’t defend Nazis. There is a world of people who need your righteous indignation.

            • Valmond@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              mY inViOlAbLe riGhTs to be a nazi!

              Do you even listen to yourself? Or are you just trying to stir up hate so that you can feel prosecuted?

              • Mango@lemmy.world
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                1 month ago

                Yes, people have a right to identify how they like, think what they like, and communicate what they like so long as that communication isn’t a threat on another individual or cause a panic.

                I’m not a Nazi, but that guy is and you’re obviously persecuting him.

        • claudiop@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          And how come one wanting to have a say on their lives is equated with one wanting to have a say on other people’s deaths?

          Tolerance is about letting other people be and giving them rights, not about letting you decide on other people’s being and letting you take their rights.

          This is so dead simple existence 101 that one can assume but malice (or an ungodly amount of crayzo ideology) from you.

          • Mango@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            Who’s had a say in anyone’s death here?

            My rights include free speech. Sucks that’s lacking in Australia.