Key Takeaways
- The Neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN) has disbanded in response to new hate speech laws, but former leaders have vowed to continue promoting white supremacist ideas.
- The use of subtle symbols and codes, such as the sonnenrad and Norse runes, may test the government’s legislation.
- Far-right extremists are likely to continue using coded language and imagery to signal their beliefs, making it challenging for courts to enforce hate speech laws.
- The adoption of certain symbols, such as the number 14 and Helly Hansen jackets, poses a conundrum for the courts as they may be used innocently or as a form of covert communication.
- Experts believe that the crackdown on hate speech may push far-right groups underground, but will not necessarily reduce the danger they pose.
Introduction to the Neo-Nazi National Socialist Network
The Neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN) may have disbanded in response to the government’s new hate speech laws, but some former leaders have vowed online that "National Socialism is inevitable" and are likely to again attend anti-immigration rallies planned for Australia Day. This move has raised concerns among experts and law enforcement agencies, who believe that the group’s ideology and activities will continue to pose a threat to society. The new legislation has strengthened hate symbol offenses, with the definition expanded to include the symbols of banned hate groups, but it remains to be seen how effective it will be in curbing the spread of hate speech and extremist ideologies.
The Use of Symbols and Codes
Far-right extremists are notorious for using subtle symbols and signs, including references to Norse, pagan, and Anglo-Saxon imagery, to signal to one another their continued beliefs in white supremacist ideas. The swastika is the most infamous Nazi symbol, but other symbols, such as the sonnenrad, also known as a sun wheel, have been used by Neo-Nazis and far-right extremists all over the world. The sonnenrad was built into the floor of a castle by Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler and has subsequently been used by Neo-Nazis, including the Christchurch shooter. The use of these symbols may end up testing the federal government’s new hate speech laws, as experts say that Neo-Nazis may still identify themselves in some way while denying the fact that they are a formal organization.
The Complexity of Hate Speech Laws
The use of symbols such as the sonnenrad may pose a significant challenge for the courts, as they will have to consider complex questions about whether a group of people is an organization or not. Far-right researcher Kieran Hardy from Griffith University notes that the courts will have to navigate the nuances of hate speech and symbolism, which can be subtle and coded. The symbols painted onto a bullhorn microphone used at a rally in Townsville, for example, may seem like random squiggles to the untrained eye, but they are actually ancient Nordic "Futhark" runes that have been used by Neo-Nazis. The complexity of these symbols and codes makes it challenging for the courts to enforce hate speech laws, as they may be used innocently or as a form of covert communication.
The Obsession with Aryan Culture
The use of symbols such as the sonnenrad and Norse runes is tied to the obsession with Aryan culture, which is a central tenet of white supremacist ideology. Dr. Hardy notes that the short story is that it’s looking towards blonde-haired, blue-eyed races, drawing on sort of Viking ideas. The adoption of these symbols and imagery is a way for far-right groups to signal their allegiance to white supremacist ideas, even if they are not explicitly stating their beliefs. The use of Anglo-Saxon imagery, such as the Sutton Hoo helmet, is also a way for these groups to connect with a perceived white cultural heritage.
Racist Dog Whistles
The use of numbers and symbols, such as the number 14, which is used by Neo-Nazis as shorthand for a racist 14-word slogan, is another way that far-right groups communicate their beliefs. The number 88 is regularly used as shorthand for "Heil Hitler", as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. The number 18 also features as extremists see it as representative of Adolf Hitler’s initials. These numbers and symbols are used regularly in communications, on clothes, and even in tattoos, making it challenging for the courts to distinguish between innocent use and hate speech.
The Challenge for the Courts
The use of these symbols and codes poses a serious conundrum for the courts, as they will have to navigate the nuances of hate speech and symbolism. Dr. Hardy notes that the government can’t start outlawing numbers or Helly Hansen jackets, or other things that represent this, as somebody could wear a Helly Hansen jacket quite innocently. The challenge for the courts will be to balance the need to prevent hate speech with the need to protect freedom of expression, and to distinguish between innocent use and hate speech.
The Future of Far-Right Extremism
The former members of Australia’s most prominent Neo-Nazi group, the NSN, may have disbanded, but online discourse suggests they’re not going away forever. Dr. Hardy believes that far-right researchers and police will be watching closely, as the group’s ideology and activities will continue to pose a threat to society. The crackdown on hate speech may push far-right groups underground, but it will not necessarily reduce the danger they pose. In fact, Dr. Hardy notes that the crackdown may be perceived in a negative way by these groups, which were seeking more legitimacy, and then have now been denied, leading to further radicalization.
