Police in South Australia are “actively” searching for a man who was seen at an anti-immigration rally in Adelaide holding a sign depicting Dezi Freeman, an alleged killer currently wanted by authorities. The sign has been widely condemned by officials, with SA Police Acting Commissioner Linda Williams describing it as “offensive,” “disgraceful,” and “outrageous.”
Acting Commissioner Williams stated that police believe they have identified the man and are investigating whether the placard breached any laws. “I think that that would have disturbed any right-minded person, including our members who saw the sign yesterday,” she remarked. The placard, captioned with the words “Free Man,” featured the face of Freeman, who is accused of killing police officers Neal Thompson and Vadim De Waart in regional Victoria last week.
Official Condemnation and Public Reaction
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines. Premier Malinauskas urged the man to comply with police requests to turn himself in, emphasizing the need for accountability. “People will make their assessments, but clearly this is the sort of behaviour that we see from those who attended the rallies yesterday,” Carbines added. “It’s despicable and disgusting and it’s very hard to find the words for it really.”
Approximately 15,000 people attended the rally and a counter-rally in Adelaide’s CBD on Sunday, coinciding with similar events across Australia. Despite the large turnout, the event was mostly peaceful, though three individuals were arrested for various offenses.
Investigation and Legal Implications
Acting Commissioner Williams confirmed that police are “actively looking” for the man with the sign and have been trying to locate him since the morning following the rally. “If he’s watching this right now, come forward, present yourself at a police station, let’s have a conversation with you about what occurred and wrap this up,” she urged.
The police are investigating whether the display of the placard constitutes offensive behavior under the law. “We think that it might fit within the category of offensive behaviour at its very least,” Williams noted. The incident has sparked discussions about the potential need for tougher laws regarding the display of offensive symbols.
“We’re better than that, and I think it’s important that we’re firm in our resolve.” — Premier Peter Malinauskas
Broader Context and Historical Parallels
Adelaide’s March for Australia rally ended with a scuffle after a man identifying as a member of the National Socialist Network took to the stage. The presence of neo-Nazis at the event has been condemned by Premier Malinauskas, who called for a firm rejection of such ideologies. “National Socialism, the celebration of cop killers, is not who we are as a state and it needs to be rejected and it needs to be done firmly,” he stated.
Historically, rallies with extremist elements have posed challenges for law enforcement and community leaders. The balance between freedom of expression and public safety remains a contentious issue, often prompting debates about legislative measures.
Next Steps and Community Response
While the government has not ruled out further crackdowns on offensive symbols, Attorney-General Kyam Maher indicated that they would take advice from SA Police. “There’s always a question of judgement in terms of material that can cause offence or material that can incite hatred,” he said. “The police on the ground are the best ones to judge at the time.”
Adelaide rally organiser Mark Aldrige acknowledged that neo-Nazis had attempted to hijack the event. “These neo-Nazis had infiltrated at the very beginning of the protest,” he explained, adding that he would have personally intervened if he had seen the sign of Dezi Freeman.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the societal impact of extremist rhetoric and the importance of maintaining public order. The community and officials alike are calling for a measured response to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
