Key Takeaways:
- The National Socialist Network (NSN), a neo-Nazi group in Australia, is rebranding itself as a group of "everyday Australians" concerned for their children.
- The group is aggressively recruiting young men and forming a "parallel economy" and society for white people.
- The NSN is setting up homeschool networks for children, with the goal of creating a new generation of "Hitler soldiers".
- The group’s leader, Thomas Sewell, has ties to convicted Nazi terrorists and has expressed violent intentions towards those who oppose him.
- The Australian government has tightened laws against unregistered schools, but the NSN is continuing to promote homeschooling as a way to avoid government oversight.
Introduction to the National Socialist Network
The National Socialist Network (NSN) is a neo-Nazi group in Australia that is rebranding itself as a group of "everyday Australians" concerned for their children. However, online, the group’s rhetoric is escalating, with aggressive recruitment of young men and the formation of a "parallel economy" and society for white people. The group’s leader, Thomas Sewell, has ties to convicted Nazi terrorists and has expressed violent intentions towards those who oppose him. In a recent post, Sewell stated that "when we win… I’m going to make an example" and that he wants to "make [Manson’s] Helter Skelter look like a moderate".
The NSN’s Homeschool Network
The NSN is setting up homeschool networks for children, with the goal of creating a new generation of "Hitler soldiers". Sewell has outlined his vision for the homeschool network, arguing that a network of like-minded "cliques" homeschooling their kids would grow until it becomes too big for the government to shut down. The group’s mothers’ groups have been expanding, posting photos online of regular events featuring women and children. Researchers at the anti-fascist White Rose Society have tracked the rise of these groups, expressing concern for women brought into the fold and isolated with their children away from non-extremist loved ones.
Ties to Convicted Nazi Terrorists
Sewell has ties to convicted Nazi terrorists, including Benjamin Raymond and Ashley Podsiad-Sharp, who are serving time in the UK. He has also spoken of his sympathies with young recruits who have strayed into "edgier paths" like violent Satanism. Sewell’s close friend, white supremacist leader Blair Cottrell, has also spoken online of homeschooling young children, complaining about the Holocaust content allocated to students. Cottrell has previously called for Australian students to read Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and for the Nazi dictator’s picture to hang in every classroom.
Government Response
The Australian government has tightened laws against unregistered schools, increasing penalties to $23,700 for those who don’t comply with child safety rules and other standards. A government spokesperson stated that parents who choose to homeschool their children have a responsibility to provide a safe and quality education. However, the NSN is continuing to promote homeschooling as a way to avoid government oversight. In mid-2024, Sewell told followers that if the government started making threats to take the children of those in the NSN, there would be violence. "That’s the line in the sand," he said. "That’s when I become a terrorist."
Conclusion
The National Socialist Network’s rebranding as a group of "everyday Australians" concerned for their children is a disturbing development. The group’s aggressive recruitment of young men, formation of a "parallel economy" and society for white people, and promotion of homeschooling as a way to avoid government oversight are all causes for concern. The Australian government must take a strong stance against the NSN and its violent ideology, and ensure that children are protected from extremist views and indoctrination. The rise of the NSN is a reminder that extremist groups can be lurking in plain sight, and that vigilance is needed to prevent the spread of hate and violence.
/file/attachments/2984/13526182_415735_155eb92e76ec4f607571f9024a4e15da.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "US Influence in Decline: Lessons from South Africa’s G20 Presidency")
