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.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    2 months ago

    Not how it works. Gestures, like words, have a meaning. Even in the USA, saying certain words in certain ways can get you arrested; harassment, threats, etc. This gesture is meant to convey threat and to harass religious and racial minorities. There is no other reason to make the gesture.

    • MonkeMischief@lemmy.todayEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      This gesture is meant to convey threat and to harass religious and racial minorities.

      I’d even take it a step further and say it’s a gesture made by a very dangerous minority that threatens the vast majority.

      Nothing says “I’m willing to forgo my humanity to wage pointless violence on literally the rest of the world.” like the cringiest dipshit salute ever devised.