Man arrested over Nazi salute at Green Party rally in Hastings
Police have arrested a man after a Green Party rally in Hastings was disrupted by flag-waving and megaphone-wielding agitators and a man made a series of Nazi salutes. Independent has learned.
Sussex Police said a 62-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody.
The incident occurred on Thursday as Green party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, was addressing hundreds of supporters in the seaside town, whose council is controlled by the Greens, ahead of next week’s local elections.
As soon as Mr. Polanski began speaking, a group of men standing in a corner above the courtyard where the crowd had gathered lowered their megaphones and tried to put words into the politician’s mouth. Meanwhile, two men unfurled the Reform UK flag and another held a St George’s Cross flag over the Green Party leader.
During the confusion, a man standing next to those holding the flag gave at least three Nazi salutes, which were witnessed by witnesses. Independent – and caught on camera.
Group Stands Against Racism published images While Nazi salutes have been shared on Facebook and Instagram, police are now appealing for more information about the incident.
In an email IndependentA spokesman for Sussex Police said an arrest had been made. They said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident which reportedly occurred at a political event in Hastings on 30 April.
“Following rapid investigations, a 62-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated Section 4A public order offense causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress. He remains in custody.
They added: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we would encourage anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact police.”
There were flags waving and Nazi salutes as Mr Polanski addressed Wednesday’s double stabbing in Golders Green, which he described as “horrific”.
Speaking of his broad vision for the Green Party, he said: “This is a politics that rejects antisemitism and the terrible events of yesterday. It is a politics that recognizes that we stand with our Jewish communities, just as we stand with our Muslim communities and non-believer communities. I say this as a Jew, when they come for one of us, they come for all of us, and we will be together and we will not be divided.”
A Green Party spokesman said: Independent: “The Green Party is appalled that our leader, Zack Polanski, was harassed by a group of agitators performing Nazi salutes. Zack is the only Jewish leader of a political party in this country and faces this kind of anti-Semitic abuse far too often.”
“The Green Party remains resolutely opposed to antisemitism and stands in solidarity with Jewish communities. We are clear that Jewish people must be protected following the horrific attacks in Golders Green.”
They added: “Given that the people involved are Reform UK supporters, we expect the party to investigate the incident urgently.”
Reform UK described the salute as “disgusting” and distanced itself from the person it said was not affiliated with party supporters who unfurled the Reform flag.
In an email Independent They said: “The two men holding the reform flag were not responsible for this heinous act. The person responsible was a nearby man who had no connection with the party.”
