How secret Nazi symbols are being used in Canberra’s anti-vax protests

Secret symbols including flags associated with far-right fascist movements and conspiracy theories have been spotted scattered throughout anti-vaccination protests in Canberra.

A record 20,00 people on Saturday marched through the nation’s capital to Parliament House and among the crowd were World War Two-era Croatian flags, Australia’s Red Ensign and upside down Australian flags.

The old Croatian flag is often associated with the the Ustaše – an ultra-fascist political movement between 1929 and 1945 whose members murdered hundreds of thousands of Jewish people and ethnic minorities. 

The Ustaše were heavily influenced by Italian fascism and German Nazis and even built their own concentration camps to carry out their abhorrent crimes.

Various extremist groups now adopt the WWII-era flag to show their support for far-right causes.

The old Croatian flag – related to Nazi support – has been spotted throughout Canberra’s anti-vaccination mandate protests among other conspiracy-related flags

Protesters have used the Australian Red Ensign flag to demonstrated they are ‘sovereign citizens’ and do not abide by the Australian government’s laws

WHAT DO THE FLAGS MEAN?

Why are some Australian’s flying an old Croatian flag? 

The WWII-era Croatian flag was used by the Ustaše – an ultra-fascist political movement between 1929 and 1945 whose members murdered hundreds of thousands of Jewish people and ethnic minorities. 

Extremists groups have now adopted the WWII flag to show their support for far-right causes. 

What is the Red Ensign?   

Australia’s maritime flag is used by the nation’s merchant ships but has recently been adopted by Australia’s ‘Sovereign Citizen’.

The conspiracy movement rejects the enforcement of all laws and taxation, considering them to be illegitimate – even on dry land. 

What is the upside down flag? 

Across the globe and upside down flag is internationally recognised as a sign of distress. 

Demonstrators have been using to the symbol as way to claim they are in distress over mandatory vaccination requirements in some workplaces and venues. 

The Red Ensign flag was also on display at the protest.

Australia’s maritime flag is used by the nation’s merchant ships but has recently been adopted by Australia’s ‘Sovereign Citizen’ – or SovCit – movement. 

The bizarre conspiracy movement rejects the enforcement of all laws and taxation, considering them to be illegitimate – even on dry land. 

Instead, members believe only maritime laws apply to them. 

Another secret symbol at the demonstration was the upside down Australian flag.

Among the crowd were men who appeared to be former Australian soldiers, tradies, truckers, motorcyclists, evangelical religious groups, a smattering of Indigenous protestors

The upside down Australian flag has also been used by protesters and is a commonly used symbol to show the country is in distress

Across the globe and upside down flag is internationally recognised as a sign of distress. 

Demonstrators have been using to the symbol as way to claim they are in distress over mandatory vaccination requirements in some workplaces and venues. 

Protesters in Canberra have been gathering for the last two weeks against mandated vaccination in Australia.

On Saturday three people were arrested including one man who allegedly drove his truck through a roadblock. 

Several of the flags were spotted on Saturday’s rally of some 15,000 as they marched through Canberra to parliament House

The old Croatian flag (circled) was Ustaše fascist party between 1929 and 1945 who ran concentration camps to murder Jewish people and other ethnic minorities

‘One man was charged with multiple offences after he drove his truck through a roadblock and two men were taken into custody for breaching the peace,’ ACT said. 

Pauline Hanson from the One Nation party joined the ‘Convoy to Canberra’ rally on Saturday after Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned marchers to be ‘peaceful and respectful’.

Mr Morrison had said his government only supported mandated vaccination for those working in high risk settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities.

Saturday’s rally of up to 20,000 people is understood to be the biggest public demonstration ever held in Canberra.

Protesters in Canberra have been gathering for the last two weeks against mandated vaccination in Australia

Pauline Hanson from the One Nation party joined the ‘Convoy to Canberra’ rally on Saturday following Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s warnings

Among the crowd were men who appeared to be former Australian soldiers, tradies, truckers, motorcyclists, evangelical religious groups, a smattering of Indigenous protestors and some current politicians.

The protester have been host to a range of people with differing views that have united against vaccine mandates and government-related pandemic orders. 

Several also flew the Eureka stockade flag which is considered a generic symbol of rebellion against authority. 

Saturday’s rally of up to 20,000 people is understood to be the biggest public demonstration ever held in Canberra

The protester have been host to a range of people with differing views that have united against vaccine mandates and government-related pandemic orders

The large protest forced the cancellation of a major Canberra fundraiser for suicide prevention hotline Lifeline, whose organisers were concerned about safety. 

There were concerns protesters would target a vaccination hub hosting a dress-up event to encourage children aged between five and 11 to receive their vaccine.

However as of Saturday afternoon the hub had not been troubled. 

Several also flew the Eureka stockade flag (blue with a white cross) which is considered a generic symbol of rebellion against authority

 The large protest forced the cancellation of a major Canberra fundraiser for suicide prevention hotline Lifeline, whose organisers were concerned about safety

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