Jacob Hersant, 25, was sentenced to one month in prison for performing a Nazi salute after lawmakers in the state of Victoria outlawed it.

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.

  • Wolfram@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    2 months ago

    Despite free speech supposedly legally allowing protests and demonstrations there is still a real risk of being imprisoned.

    My point is even “free speech” is not total free speech in the United States for example. There are still compromises in free speech so we may preserve order. Allowing free speech to that extent lets these movements flourish.

    • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zipEnglish
      216·
      2 months ago

      I absolutely agree. But we as a society need to be very careful because we cross some divides at our own peril. Today it might be Nazis making a salute. Tomorrow it might be journalists writing oposing views.