Retailer of Nazi memorabilia forced out of his shop
Anarchists Worldwide have reported on their visit to a shop in the outskirts of Melbourne which unashamedly sold Nazi memorabilia and how their actions quit the premises permanently.
The shop
On their Facebook page, Anarchists Worldwide reported: “On the night of January 19th-20th, 2020, we paid a visit to the premises of the ‘EK Militaria’ store at 439 Gaffney Street in Pascoe Vale. After disabling a nearby surveillance camera, we sabotaged the entrance locks to the store, spray painted antifascist slogans on the store facade and smashed one of the storefront windows that was displaying a US Confederate flag.
‘EK Militaria’ uses the cover of ‘military memorabilia’ to sell disgusting Nazi relics from the second World War including swastika banners, original Nazi uniforms, SS daggers, Hitler Youth badges and other perverse ‘collectibles’.
Store owner, Garry McDonald, who wears an SS ring, has proudly stated to local media that the most popular selling items in his store are Third Reich ‘memorabilia’ and that he “could not care less” what people think about him or his store.
Jewish community groups and local residents have lodged official complaints about the store to no avail so ‘EK Militaria’ has continued to operate freely, trading in grisly artifacts that glorify Nazism and operating as a hub for Melbourne’s network of Hitler-loving far-right scum.
With this action we are sending a clear message to Garry McDonald – if the authorities are not prepared to do something about your fascist business, we are.
We also hope that this action inspires other antifascists in Melbourne to be more proactive in 2020, to stop letting the fascists set the agenda as to when and where we confront them and to let them know that there are real-life consequences for their activities.”
The Daily Mail reported that “since the store was vandalised on January 20 it has been vacated by the business owner and put up for rent online”.
Judy Fetter, the executive director of The Jewish Community Council of Victoria, told J-Wire: “The JCCV supports the approach of Victoria Police, combatting racism in all its forms, and strongly condemns access to any symbols of hate, including Nazi-era items. The JCCV continues to work closely with the Victorian Government to develop strategies on racism and educational programs to achieve a more respectful community with zero tolerance to racism and anti -Semitism.
Representing the Jewish Community of Victoria, we support the closure of this particular store in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. As an organisation, we also work closely with the Multicultural Portfolio Reference Group of Victoria Police to combat hate across communities and encourage positive dialogue. Clearly, reducing access to all Nazi memorabilia hate symbols in Melbourne is a positive step for the entire Melbourne community, across all ages.”
