Australian Defence League

Australian Defence League

Abbreviation	ADL
Successor	Patriots Defence League Australia
Formation	c. 2009
Founder	Ralph Cerminara
Founded at	Sydney
Type	Far-right
Purpose	Australian ultranationalism Anti-Islam Nativism Right-wing populism
Location	Sydney, Australia
President	Chris Rothwell
President, Western Sydney	Nathan Abela

The Australian Defence League (ADL) is a militant far-right, white nationalist protest group. The group is anti-Islam, and has been involved in making terrorist threats, abusing, doxxing and stalking Muslim Australians. The gang was founded in Sydney in 2009 as an offshoot of the English Defence League.

History

The ADL was founded in 2009 a registered not-for-profit organisation. They were founded as an offshoot of the English Defence League.^[1] It was led by Ralph Cerminera until he stepped down from the position in 2014 after being found guilty of assault.^[2] In March 2019, Cerminera was sentenced to 9 months in prison after assaulting his neighbour.^[3] He was replaced as the group's leader by Chris Rothwell.^[4]

Activities

Stalking, verbal abuse and harassment

In 2014, the group came to national attention after it was revealed that ADL members and followers had been stalking and photographing Muslim women on public transport, verbally abusing Muslims, displaying anti-Islamic posters outside mosques, and threatening to blow up an Islamic school.^[5]

Later in 2014, in what police believe was retaliation for the bomb threat, the home of Nathan Abela, former President of the ADL, was fired upon.^[5] Following pressure by people associated with the #illridewithyou campaign, Facebook shut down pages of ADL.^[6]

On 22 December 2014, two members of the ADL were involved in a brawl outside Sydney's Lakemba mosque, arrested, and charged with affray and behaving in an offensive manner. They were subsequently convicted and jailed for five weeks.^[7][8]

Bendigo mosque protests

Further information: Bendigo mosque protests

In 2014 and 2015, the organisation was involved in the Voices of Bendigo and Stop the Mosques Bendigo protests. The group was one of a number of far-right Islamophobic groups, including the Q Society, Reclaim Australia, True Blue Crew and the United Patriots Front, that opposed the construction of a $3 million mosque and Islamic community centre in Bendigo, Victoria.^[9][10]

See also

• Antipodean Resistance Australian neo-Nazi group that emerged around the same time as Reclaim Australia.
• Australia First Party Australian far-right political party associated with Reclaim Australia.
• Far-right politics in Australia
• Far-right terrorism in Australia
• Islamophobia in Australia
• National Action (Australia) Australian neo-Nazi group.
• Romper Stomper (TV series) - TV series featuring a group similar to Reclaim Australia
• Yellow Vest Australia
• Antisemitism in Australia

References

1. White, Alex (7 October 2014). "The pro-white gangs spreading race hate across Australia". The Herald Sun. News International. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
2. Thompson, Angus (5 February 2019). "Anti-Islamist filmed attacking 'Uber driver' neighbour". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
3. Rawsthorne, Sally (14 March 2019). "Former leader of far-right movement jailed for foul-mouthed attack on neighbour". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
4. Hall, Bianca (16 October 2015). "Street fights and 'internet vigilantes': Inside Australia's anti-Islam movement". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
5. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Sean (21 April 2014). "Tensions between Australian Defence League and Muslim community reach violent new heights". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
6. Kimmorley, Sarah (18 December 2014). "Facebook Has Shut Down The Australian Defence League's Racist Page On Complaints From #illridewithyou Supporters". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
7. "Australian Defence League leader Ralph Cerminara refused bail over Lakemba brawl". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
8. Hall, Bianca (16 October 2015). "Street fights and 'internet vigilantes': Inside Australia's anti-Islam movement". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
9. "Social Cohesion In Bendigo" (PDF). Victorian Multicultural Commission. Victorian Government. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
10. "Far-right group spreading anti-mosque message in Bendigo". theage.com. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.