Reclaim Australia

Reclaim Australia primarily opposes the practice of Islam in Australia and is considered Islamophobic.{{cite news |last=McKenzie |first=Nick |last2=Bachelard |first2=Michael |date=13 January 2016 |title=ASIO monitoring of right-wing extremists uncovered alleged plan to attack radical left |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/investigations/asio-monitoring-of-rightwing-extremists-uncovered-alleged-plan-to-attack-radical-left-20160813-gqrsgt.html |access-date=3 January 2017 |work=The Age}}{{cite news|title=Reclaiming Australia: Liberalism's Role in Islamophobia|url=https://theconversation.com/reclaiming-australia-liberalisms-role-in-islamophobia-44662|access-date=3 January 2017|work=The Conversation|date=17 July 2015}}{{cite news |last=Connery |first=Georgina |date=6 February 2016 |title=Reclaim Australia Rally drowns out Counter Protesters |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/reclaim-australia-rally-drowns-out-counter-protesters-20160206-gmnezn.html |access-date=3 Jan 2017 |work=The Canberra Times}}{{cite news |last=Booker |first=Chloe |date=31 August 2016 |title=Truck driver who abused cyclist identified as neo-Nazi connected to United Patriots Front |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/truck-driver-who-abused-cyclist-identifed-as-neonazi-connected-to-united-patriots-front-20160830-gr4h9f.html |access-date=3 January 2017 |work=The Age}} Proponents of the Reclaim Australia movement called for the persecution of Muslims.{{cite journal|accessdate=2023-09-28|url=https://doi.org/10.37264/jcsi.v2i2.60 |first1=Ryan|last1=Al-Natour|journal=Journal of the Contemporary Study of Islam|volume=2|issue=2|date=24 August 2021|pages=163–179|title=The Racist 'Not Racism' Nature of Islamophobia within the Reclaim Australia Movement|doi=10.37264/jcsi.v2i2.60 |s2cid=254347745 |doi-access=free}} The group has attracted the involvement of neo-Nazis in promoting and attending Reclaim Australia rallies. Speakers at Reclaim Australia rallies have been known to express extremist views, with one speaker in South Australia warning of the risks of "Islamic barbarity" and encouraging those in attendance to "insult and vilify Islam five times a day if you want to".

In April and July 2015 Reclaim Australia organised rallies in several Australian cities.{{cite news|title=Reclaim Australia clashes with opposing groups at rallies around the country over extremism and tolerance|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-04/reclaim-australia-extremism-rallies-face-tolerance-groups/6370672|access-date=19 July 2015|publisher=ABC News|date=5 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/reclaim-australia-no-room-for-racism-rally-in-melbourne-20150718-gif6oa.html|title=Reclaim Australia, No Room for Racism rally in Melbourne|date=18 July 2015|work=The Age|last2=Gough|first2=Deborah|last1=Vedelago|first1=Chris|access-date=19 July 2015}}{{cite news|title=Five arrested as Reclaim Australia and anti-racism protesters face off in Sydney|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/19/reclaim-australia-rally-sydney-police-high-alert|access-date=19 July 2015|work=The Guardian|date=19 July 2015}} Speakers at these rallies included Danny Nalliah, Pauline Hanson, and George Christensen.{{cite news|last1=Christensen|first1=George|author-link=George Christensen (politician)|title=Hell will freeze over before I pull out of Reclaim Australia rally|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/17/hell-will-freeze-over-before-i-pull-out-of-reclaim-australias-rally|access-date=19 July 2015|work=The Guardian|date=17 July 2015}} Reclaim Australia has said that the rallies are a "public response to Islamic extremism and a protest against minority groups who want to change the Australian cultural identity." A number of protesters from both sides of the rally were arrested for violent behaviour.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-18/no-room-for-racism-and-reclaim-australia-protesters-clash/6630358|title='Ugly scenes' as anti-racism protesters clash with rivals|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=18 July 2015|access-date=16 September 2016}}

In February 2016, Reclaim Australia held nationwide rallies that overwhelmed counter protestors.{{cite news|last=Connery|first=Georgina|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/reclaim-australia-rally-drowns-out-counter-protesters-20160206-gmnezn.html|title=Reclaim Australia Rally drowns out counter protesters|access-date=4 March 2016|work=The Canberra Times|date=6 February 2016}}

In January 2017, a rally in Sydney was attended by only dozens of the approximately 400 people who had registered to attend.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-antimuslim-rally-by-farright-group-reclaim-australia-was-a-fizzer-with-more-police-and-media-turning-up-than-protesters/news-story/ed41b1d49adeaa7451a8781568c2e867 |title=The anti-Muslim rally by far-right group Reclaim Australia was a fizzer, with more police and media turning up than protesters |last=Sutton |first=Candace |date=29 January 2017 |website=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |access-date=28 February 2017}}

Reclaim Australia has played a number of popular Australian songs at its rallies. Some songwriters have requested that their songs not be played at these rallies, including: Jimmy Barnes (Khe Sanh), John Farnham (You're the Voice), John Schumann (I Was Only 19), John Williamson (True Blue), Shane Howard (Solid Rock), and Midnight Oil (Short Memory).{{cite news|last1=Hatch|first1=Patrick|title=Anti-Islam group agrees to stop playing Jimmy Barnes songs at Reclaim rallies|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/antiislam-group-agrees-to-stop-playing-jimmy-barnes-songs-at-reclaim-rallies-20150722-gihpb3.html|access-date=22 July 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 July 2015}}{{cite news |last=Galvin |first=Nick |date=27 July 2015 |title=John Williamson on Reclaim Australia's use of True Blue: 'How about a rally for love' |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/john-williamson-on-reclaim-australias-use-of-true-blue-how-about-a-rally-for-love-20150727-gil0sr.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=29 July 2015 }}{{cite news|last1=Zuel|first1=Bernard|title=John Farnham 'disgusted' by Reclaim Australia's use of You're The Voice|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/john-farnham-disgusted-by-reclaim-australias-use-of-youre-the-voice-20150722-gii2ba.html|access-date=22 July 2015|work=The Age|date=22 July 2015}}{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Cameron |date=24 July 2015 |title=Midnight Oil and Goanna blast Reclaim Australia, telling them to stop playing their songs |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/midnight-oil-and-goanna-blast-reclaim-australia-telling-them-to-stop-playing-their-songs/story-e6frfn09-1227455623150 |publisher=news.com.au |access-date=29 July 2015 }} Lee Kernaghan said his song "Spirit of the Anzacs" should be played at public events only if these were respectful to the memory of fallen servicemen and women.

Street rallies held by Reclaim Australia have faced counter-protests from human rights and anti-racism activists, anarchists, trade unionists,{{cite news|last1=Oldham|first1=Sam|title=Reclaim Australia Pins Working Class People Against Each Other. The Only Winners Are Conservative Elites|url=https://newmatilda.com/2015/11/24/reclaim-australia-pins-working-class-people-against-each-other-the-only-winners-are-conservative-elites/|access-date=21 December 2015|agency=Online|issue=Daily|publisher=New Matilda|date=24 November 2015}} and members of the Socialist Alliance.

The Australian domestic security agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, says the group is of interest and staff have been assigned to monitor it because of the potential for further violence.{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Duncan|title=Reclaim Australia in Asio's sights, intelligence chief tells senators|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/19/reclaim-australia-in-asios-sights-intelligence-chief-tells-senators|access-date=19 October 2016|work=The Guardian Australia|date=19 October 2016}}

According to political history lecturer Troy Whitford, Reclaim Australia is unlike previous short-lived radical nationalist groups. The movement has avoided becoming a structured organisation, draws a broader support base, and lacks high-profile leaders who become a focus for opponents.{{cite news |last=Whitford |first=Troy |date=24 July 2015 |title=Reclaim Australia re-energises radical nationalism |url=http://theconversation.com/reclaim-australia-re-energises-radical-nationalism-45103 |newspaper=The Conversation |location=Melbourne |access-date=29 July 2015}}

The founders of the group are Wanda Marsh, John Oliver and Liz Shepherd. Shepherd has said that she had never been politically active, but the 2014 siege at the Lindt Café was a turning point for her.{{cite news|last1=Dye|first1=Josh|title=Founders of 'anti-Islamic' group Reclaim Australia make first television appearance on Channel Seven's Sunday Night|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/founders-of-antiislamic-group-reclaim-australia-make-first-television-appearance-on-channel-sevens-sunday-night-20151019-gkc5vk.html|access-date=19 October 2015|work=The Age|date=19 October 2015}}

After observing many Reclaim Australia rallies and interviewing participants, author John Safran described it as a loose collective of different groups such as the United Patriots Front and Danny Nalliah's Catch the Fire Ministries.{{cite book |last=Safran |first=John |date=2017 |title=Depends What You Mean By Extremist: Going Rogue with Australian Deplorables |publisher=Penguin Random House Australia |pages=2–4 |isbn=9781926428772 }} The UPF has also been described as a splinter group from Reclaim Australia.{{cite web |last=McPherson |first=Tahlia |date=20 September 2015 |title=Hostility to hit Albury |url=http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/3361311/hostility-to-hit-albury/ |website=Border Mail}}{{cite news |last=McKenzie-Murray |first=Martin |date=25 July 2015 |title=Inside the strange dynamic of Reclaim Australia's rallies | url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/law-crime/2015/07/25/inside-the-strange-dynamic-reclaim-australias-rallies/14377464002169 |newspaper=The Saturday Paper|access-date=31 July 2015 }}{{cite news|title=Violent clashes between United Patriots Front and anti-racism protesters at Richmond Town Hall|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-31/reclaim-australia-group-rally-broken-up-by-police/6510194|access-date=19 July 2015|publisher=ABC News|date=31 May 2015}}{{cite news |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=24 July 2015 |title=Reclaim Australia: 'concerned mums and dads' or a Trojan horse for extremists? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/24/reclaim-australia-concerned-mums-and-dads-or-a-trojan-horse-for-extremists |access-date=9 November 2015 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|last= Hall|first= Bianca| title= Street fights and 'internet vigilantes': Inside Australia's anti-Islam movement| url= http://www.smh.com.au/national/street-fights-and-internet-vigilantes-inside-australias-antiislam-movement-20151014-gk914v.html| access-date= 9 November 2015| work=The Sydney Morning Herald| date=17 October 2015}} Its members have taken part in Reclaim Australia rallies,{{cite news |last=Safran |first=John |author-link=John Safran|date=22 July 2015 |title=John Safran reports from the Reclaim Australia rally, where things were even scarier than he expected |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/john-safran-reports-from-the-reclaim-australia-rally-where-things-were-even-scarier-than-he-expected/story-fnu2q5nu-1227451292484 |publisher=news.com.au |location=Melbourne |access-date=29 July 2015 }} and in July 2015 police confiscated a registered firearm from a licensed gun-owner before he travelled on a bus with UPF members to a rally in Melbourne.{{cite news|last1=Lavoipierre|first1=Angela|title=Gun seized from Reclaim Australia-bound protester prompts safety concerns amongst police|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-24/gun-seized-ahead-of-reclaim-australia-rally/6644638|access-date=2 August 2015|publisher=ABC News|date=24 July 2015}} The same month, organisers of a Brisbane rally told the crowd that they had split from Reclaim Australia to join a group that was more explicitly anti-Islamic.{{cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Joshua|last2=Hurst|first2=Daniel|title=George Christensen welcomes Reclaim Australia split, rejecting 'anti-Muslim' element |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/19/reclaim-australia-brisbane-rally-organisers-announce-split-from-group|access-date=14 March 2016|work=The Guardian Australia|date=19 July 2015}}

In the Australian Capital Territory election of 2016, a Canberra organiser with Reclaim Australia, Daniel Evans, ran as an independent candidate in the electorate of Yerrabi.{{cite web |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-election-2016/antiislamic-group-reclaim-australia-linked-to-two-candidates-20161013-gs1fkn.html |title=Anti-Islamic group Reclaim Australia linked to two candidates |last=Knaus |first=Christopher |date=13 October 2016 |website=The Canberra Times |access-date=28 February 2017}} He won 0.5 percent of the vote.{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/2016-election/2016-election-results/electorate-results |title=2016 Results for Electorate, First Preferences Counted as at 2:04 pm 1/12/2016: Yerrabi |author= |date=1 December 2016 |website=Elections ACT |publisher=Australian Capital Territory Electoral Commission |access-date=28 February 2017}}

• Far-right politics in Australia
• Islamophobia in Australia
• National Action (Australia)
• Romper Stomper (TV series) – TV series featuring a group similar to Reclaim Australia{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-30/romper-stomper-stan-russell-crowe-skinheads-neo-nazis/9291716|title=Romper Stomper reboot is a compelling investigation into Australia's extremist politics|date=30 December 2017|work=ABC News |access-date=14 January 2018}}
• True Blue Crew – Reclaim Australia splinter group
• United Patriots Front – Reclaim Australia splinter group
• Pegida similar group in Germany and Europe

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web | title=Reclaim Australia, Five Years Later: Where Are They Now? | website=slackbastard | date=9 April 2020 | url=https://slackbastard.anarchobase.com/?p=46107}}
• {{cite web | title=Junk Explained: Who Are Reclaim Australia, What Are They Protesting, And Should We Even Care? | website=Junkee | date=8 April 2015 | url=https://junkee.com/junk-explained-who-are-reclaim-australia-what-are-they-protesting-and-should-we-even-care/54573|first=Meg|last=Watson}}

• {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150529000701/http://www.reclaim-australia.com/|Archived website}} (2015)
• {{Facebook|Reclaim-Australia-1523352194648853}}

Category:2015 establishments in Australia

Category:Far-right politics in Australia

Category:Protests in Australia

Category:Australian nationalism

Category:Persecution of Muslims

Category:Racism in Australia

Category:Racially motivated violence in Oceania