A core aim of Nationalist Alternative is to safeguard the heritage and identity of the Australian people and culture within the biodiversity of the entire planet. Our appreciation of diverse life must extend beyond the human species and hence includes the various flora and fauna of this vast continent and nearby oceans. In keeping with this mandate, Nationalist Alternative activists have put together over $250 worth of supplies for the activists of the Sea Shepherd.

‘Sea Shepherd are a volunteer based organisation that uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.’

This article does not concentrate on other elements of their philosophy but specifically supports the direct action they take in protecting and thereby preserving the various forms of whales and other oceanic life in the southern oceans. Indeed their activism is congruent with one of our stickers – Radical Autonomous Resistance

Why positive Nationalism is necessary

The old paradigms associated with Nationalism reflect an image of fear-mongering and negativity which is perpetuated by the media and other self-serving interests. These outdated portrayals consist of angry individuals, namely white single males from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, who’s single modus operandi is to ‘protest’ or ‘oppose’. Nationalism has been given a bad name, and in some respects it’s well deserved. If Nationalism were personified as a friend, it would quite often be perceived as complaining, negative and dysfunctional. Too often activism performed by Nationalists is seen as contrary or in opposition of something, rather than being supportive and nurturing of the things worthy of respect, admiration and love. In a previous article written by Michael Kennedy, he clearly stated “To love your country, make it more lovable.” The same can be said of Nationalism. To love Nationalism, make it more loveable.

Positivity breeds positivity

Louise Hay, a renowned author, has an underlying philosophy of positive affirmation, where she believes strongly in the metaphysical law of attraction. According to Wikipedia:

The law of attraction is a metaphysical belief that “like attracts like“, that positive and negative thinking bring about positive and negative physical results, respectively. According to the law of attraction, the phrase “I need more money” allows the subject to continue to “need more money”. If the subject wants to change this they would focus their thoughts on the goal (having more money) rather than the problem (needing more money). This might take the form of phrases such as “I do have more money” or “I will have more money”.

For Nationalists, rather than the only form of activism being testosterone fuelled and combative, a positive and supporting form of Nationalist activism is also needed. Changing negative stereotypes is a matter of being unashamedly involved and committed to the community. In each action you take, you are representing what it means to be a Nationalist to the community. Act as though you are the only Nationalist an individual might meet in their lifetime. This means working positively and positively working in a community which not only doesn’t share your values, your beliefs or ideals, but is openly hostile towards you.

Nationalism is paradoxically thought to be about segregation from the community. However, as the law of attraction clearly demonstrates, society will always reflect those who are willing to engage in it. Positive activism will support and cultivate goodwill, which in turn will cultivate and support Nationalism. For this reason, Nationalist Alternative seeks to engage in more regular positive activism, that supports various causes of environmental and social significance.

By John Harper
Newport is an inner western suburb of Melbourne, back in July of 2008, activists of Nationalist Alternative, were notified by several supporters who lived and/or are living in the area and had received leaflets, to become involved in the local campaign to make the Council more accountable in regards to its planning decisions, whether for a new concrete carpark, shopping mall or otherwise. As Nationalist Alternative are strong supporters of the idea of local people having a say regarding the future of their own community and in proposed developments, we decided to investigate further.

The planning decision in question was :

a
The building plans for a large mosque on Blenheim Road, Newport that could fit hundreds of people.

(see artists impression of the mosque above).

An organisation/s of concerned citizens had formed due to the noticeable negative impact this development will have on the surrounding area. With proposed prayer times ranging from 4:20 AM to 11:10 PM and the prospect of increased traffic, noise and competition for the limited number of car park spaces planned for the area, anyone, even politically correct liberal progressives can see the significant change such a building would bring.

Nationalist Alternative attended meetings, donated funds towards hiring legal representation for the action group and spent evenings volunteering services for the resident activist groups, including distributing their leaflets, advertising their meetings, and collecting signatures and donations and providing moral support.

NatAlt was able to build good relations with the group and with certain key members. As many of the residents are politically inexperienced and often don’t appreciate the deeper underlying issues, it was encouraging to hear people express their thoughts and show us that people are not apathetic and do have an awareness of changes occurring within their community.

The council has a greater obligation to the community aside from ensuring that buildings meet zoning laws and construction requirements, but also in being sensitive to the needs of the community, the culture it has and the wishes of the residents as to the type of community they would like to live in. Developments must therefore take into account the impact they have on the culture, the way that these developments will alter the surrounding area and the suburb in terms of demographics and how such changes will impact on the lifestyle of residents.

Outrageous but not surprising were alleged comments by a councillor, when it was put to him by a resident group member

“have you read and reviewed our submissions to council opposing this development?”

to which was answered

“No”, but you are invited to come and help turn the sods of dirt on the building site with the local Islamic community”.

So to residents, it was as if the decision had been made already and the council was just going through the motions. Unfortunately a few months later in 2008, the council voted to approve the development. Despite overwhelming resident dissatisfaction with the proposal, the council appeared committed to continuing the development, a fact not lost on the disaffected residents.

In response to this, NatAlt chose to lend support to one resident from a action group who chose to be a candidate. NatAlt distributed a flyer advertising the councils decision and detailing how the council appeared committed to approving the mosque regardless of the residents wishes, or without any concern to how this would impact the area. Not only was the flyer one to inform residents, it was a call to kick the incumbents out and an endorsement of the community activist who was running for council.

Despite the sensitivity of the issue and the propensity for people to be critical of community members who express concern over such developments, NatAlt recieved negligible opposition to our efforts. We will continue to play an active role in this issue and help represent the understated and often ignored wishes and concerns of the local community.

Lessons for Nationalist Activists – Relevance and Flexibility

Illustrating the relevance, particularly on a local level, of workingwith Australians on issues that are of importance to them and their dailyconcerns we note the following words of some nationalist activists on the scene:

“We participated in our own door knock down many streets close and far to the development and whilst most residents did not want to become directly active, nearly all to a tee asked us to dispense with disclaimers and other information and just ask them “Mosque? Yes or No”, to which 9.5/10 answered a resounding NO.”

We could have attended and simply hit the area with purely abstract political material,replete with esoteric political though straight out of a European think-tank and dressed in the black bloc look of our fellow nationalists in Europe from where we in Australia adapt the look. (and utilize for different ends as per other images on this site). However in light of the above, in this instance, Nationalist Alternative worked and dressed normally, both as non aligned residents attending meetings and leafleting on the issue along with local residents as well as in our own capacity.

We supported and pushed the demand that council consider more closely and with greater sensitivity the needs of the residents, planning AND Cultural impacts and not blindly push forward developments (Of any nature mosque or carpark or shopping centre megaplex) that will have a negative impact on the community.

Residents have the right to make their voices heard, demand more accountability from indifferent and often major party dominated councils and to have the opportunity to exercise our democratic right to influence the development of our suburbs. Our people demand and require a greater input on the future of our own community, both locally and as the Australian nation.

Below leaflets used in campaign.

First page.

2nd page

Recently some members of Nationalist Alternative met to reclaim the parkland and waterways under one section of the Westgate Bridge.

Tidying your own backyard used to be an unspoken principle of the Australian way of life and behaviour, an attitude widely held amongst the populace.

Unfortunately scenes of filth and mess are all too common in today’s individualist society where worship of the credit card takes precedent over most other items. Only the most obvious and busiest thoroughfares of our cities are now kept clean while the rest decay.

The grassed area next to the waters edge (2nd image) and the vegetation along the lake edge (3rd image) were thoroughly cleared and left spotless for the enjoyment of locals.

In only a few hours multiple bags of rubbish were carted away and as a breather we thought we would take some images.