People power is working. Today, Gavin McInnes has published a video claiming to have quit the Proud Boys. Not because he wants to distance himself from their violent activity, but because his members are facing legal action after being arrested, and his lawyers have told him to resign to make it easier for them to avoid jail.

McInnes is clearly worried about being associated as the founder of his gang, but he still thinks Proud Boys are awesome. He does not denounce their violence or remove his support for them. If anything, he appears incensed to have to do this at all.

This is a wily move to try and manufacture distance between him and the toxic Proud Boys brand, to allow him to continue touring to Australia and profit off his violent legacy.

It’s not going to work.

Today, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that former Australian Border Force chief Roman Quaedvlieg is calling for Gavin McInnes to be banned from entering Australia: “For me it is a lay down misere that Gavin McInnes should not be given a platform here...Free speech is fine but not when it crosses the threshold to the incitement of violence. I don't think he passes the character test based on what is publicly available."

Former Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, agrees. He tweeted this today: “Lay down misere, no-brainer, call it what you will. Far-right extremist Gavin McInnes is as much a danger to community safety here as a religious hate preacher. He should be denied a visa to Australia.”

Labor MP Tim Watts has also tweeted: “Despite claiming that he wants to ‘bring Australians together’, Scott Morrison refuses to act to block this Australian tour by the leader of a group who advocates political violence”

I continue to call for Gavin McInnes’ visa to be cancelled. Australia is not the last resort for violent extremists, particularly ones who cry crocodile tears now that their profit margin is shrinking thanks to the efforts of decent people like you - people who stand up for minorities and say no to violent extremism.

Soon, I’ll be announcing our plans to deliver this petition to Parliament House in Canberra.

Thank you for your support.

Nyadol Nyuon.

PS please keep sharing this petition to make sure our Government takes notice, and keep calling or emailing Immigration Minister David Coleman.
Email: Minister@homeaffairs.gov.au
Phone: 02 6277 4188