The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) condemns the abhorrent actions of the neo-Nazis who violently attacked people at Camp Sovereignty in Naarm yesterday.

Indigenous activists were forced to defend the sacred Camp Sovereignty site on the grounds of Kings Domain Resting Place, from a brutal attack following the white supremacy protests.

“This was a disgusting and disturbing attack on what was a peaceful gathering on a scared Aboriginal site,” VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO said.

Camp Sovereignty is a space for Aboriginal people to gather and perform cultural ceremonies, truth-telling and healing and these ceremonies are held to honour ancestors and to promote peace and unity.

“These sickening actions rip open the wounds of genocide and expose the deep-seated racism that still exists in Australia today. We can’t ignore it – racism still exists and it impacts all of us,” she said.

She urges the Victorian Government and Victoria Police to take urgent action to bring these attackers to justice.

“They might stomp our flag, but they cannot silence us or extinguish our continued and unceded sovereignty. We will continue to stand up and speak out and we will keep the fire burning that has been burning for the past 65,000 years.”

“The strength and resilience of our Community is far stronger than their hate and make no mistake, there is absolutely no place for hate in this country,” Dr Gallagher said.