AU VIC: Footage Shows Conservative Commentator Andrew Bolt Fighting Back as Two Men Attack June 060:18
New footage has emerged of the moment Sky News Australia commentator Andrew Bolt was attacked by apparent protesters after a book launch in Melbourne on June 6. Bolt was walking along Lygon Street in the suburb of Carlton when two disguised men charged at Bolt and threw shaving cream and glitter, according to Victoria Police. But the conservative commentator immediately responded by throwing punches at the men before they fled on foot. Credit: Facebook/Nathan cc Photography
Video of Andrew Bolt being set upon outside a Carlton Restaurant. Picture: Nathan CC Photography/Facebook
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull is being urged to declare the organisation whose members glitter-bombed conservative commentator Andrew Bolt a “terrorist group”.
The columnist, who is employed by News Corp which also owns news.com.au, was last week approached by a number of men in a Melbourne street who appeared to violently attack the 57-year-old.
In video of the incident shared online, the men appeared to repeatedly try to punch Bolt, who fought back before being glitter-bombed by his attackers and was left covered in glitter and glue.
Antifa Australia, a leftist political protest group that stands for anti-fascism, identified the men involved as its supporters in a Facebook post where they called for Bolt to be imprisoned over the scuffle.
Reaction to the footage has ranged from congratulating the divisive commentator’s attackers, to calling for them to be charged.
Reaction to the incident has been varied. Picture: Nathan CC Photography/FacebookSource:Supplied
One Melbourne man has taken his disgust at the attack a step further, pleading with the federal government to declare the group behind the incident a terrorist organisation.
Avi Yemini, an outspoken gym owner and safety campaigner from Melbourne, sparked the idea and has collected more than 5000 signatures backing an online petition he plans to present to the PM.
He’s calling for Antifa to be reclassified by the government.
“Following the horrific violent assault on conservative commentator, Andrew Bolt. I’m calling on our government to list Antifa as a terrorist organisation and treat its members accordingly,” he wrote on the change.org petition.
A change.org petition started to convince the Prime Minister to class Antifa as a ‘Terrorist Organisation’. Picture: Change.org/suppliedSource:Supplied
Mr Yemini described Antifa as “the far-left organisation that have been reeking (sic) havoc across Australia”, and says peaceful protests organised by nationalists have “been greeted with violence from this organisation”.
In his case to classify Antifa as a “terrorist organisation”, Mr Yemini argues the group fits in with the legislative definition of such a group.
“Antifa does intimidate elements of the public to advance a political cause — the nationalist movement,” he argues. “It has damaged property. It has caused serious danger to a person.”
Melbourne Antifa responded to the petition in a statement sent to news.com.au.
“If defending the interests of the working class against the violent system of fascism means we are terrorists, then we will gladly stand alongside our historic comrades in Palestine who continue the fight against zionist apartheid, and other marginalised groups around the world. We wear the label with pride,” the group said.
Mr Turnbull has not commented to the petition.
Avi Yemini is running a campaign to ‘make Victoria safe again’. Picture: Chris EastmanSource:News Corp Australia