Anti-racists attacked by neo-Nazis

By Emma Webb

ADELAIDE — Anti-racism activist Peter Lord was attacked in his home on September 30 by three men he believes were right-wing extremists. Lord has been threatened in the past by members of the neo-Nazi organisation National Action (NA).

Lord, an anti-racism campaigner for more than 20 years, was most recently involved in the Celebrating Diversity Coalition and Campaign Against Racism.

Lord answered a knock at his door around 10.30pm and was confronted by three men brandishing iron bars. "We hear you've got copies of Green Left Weekly for sale here", they said before breaking down the security door.

Lord attempted to defend himself but his glasses were broken in the attack. He was able to grab a crowbar and drive his attackers back until he was disarmed. The thugs bashed him with the iron bar, breaking his leg and severely damaging his knee. He is recovering in hospital.

Lord told Green Left Weekly: "I could just give up and slink away, but that's not how you fight racism." He believes the attack was a warning to anti-racism campaigners and urged other activists to be careful.

He believes it was not a coincidence that the attack occurred on the same day as the national "Vote with your feet" anti-racism rallies organised by Resistance.

Just days before the rally, the Communist Party of Australia received a death threat and Green Left weekly sellers were harassed by thugs threatening to "get you commies". Shops stocking Green Left Weekly have also had windows smashed and NA posters stuck over them.

From GLW issue 337