THE first time I see Ralph Cerminara he’s at a United Patriots Front (UPF) rally in Bendigo. He takes to the microphone. Lest you think he’s not proud to be Australian, he’s wearing a top emblazoned with “Aussie Pride”, the Australian flag, the coat of arms and two Ned Kellys.
Because I’m a trainspotter of the far-right, I know a little bit about him. He once led the Australian Defence League, an anti-Islam group that predates the UPF.
Not long ago the cops arrested him for brawling outside a mosque in Lakemba, Sydney. One police officer ended up in hospital with a fractured shoulder.
“Before I go on,” Ralph shouts, “I want to mention one thing. And that is the left-wing bigoted media.” The crowd hisses. “You’ve got people like leftie John Safran — and I’ve seen him around here — he calls people Nazis. You’re the f***in bigot, mate! You utterly disgust me.”
Dozens of “patriots” turn to me and boo. I breathe in and try to smile.
Read the full article by John Safran at news.com.au.