Patriot Blu
Patriot Blu is an anti-Islam far right street protest group founded in Melboune, Australia in 2017 by Neil Erikson.
The name Patriot Blue was inspired by the 2018 television series Romper Stomper which features a fictional right wing group of the same name.
Activities
Yarra Council
On September 5, 2017, members of Patriot Blue arrived at Yarra City Council and interrupted a council meeting to protest against the council decision to abandon Australia Day celebrations and citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
Footage from the protest was later published on the Patriot Blue Facebook page.
After the protest Yarra City Council moved meetings to a secure location.
Earlier the same day Patriot Blue member Neil Erikson was found guilty of inciting serious contempt of Muslims and convicted at the Melbourne Magistrates Court and fined $2,000.
Moreland City Council
On October 11, 2017, members of Patriot Blue and Party for Freedom arrived at Moreland City Council carrying a fake coffin and interrupted a council meeting to protest the decision to abandon Australia Day celebrations.
Footage from the protest was later published on the Patriot Blue Facebook page.
Sam Dastyari racial attack
On November 8, 2017, members of Patriot Blue racially abused Labor Senator Sam Dastyari at the VU bar in Footscray during a promotional event for his book, One Halal of a Story, with members of Patriot Blue calling Dastyari a "[...]" and a "monkey".
The attack was filmed by members of Patriot Blue and later published on their Facebook page.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten both condemned the attack upon Dastyari.
Sam Dastyari later blamed the rise of extremism on the rise of Donald Trump and Pauline Hanson.
Legal action
On November 10, 2017 producers of the television series Romper Stomper, media streaming company Stan and production company Roadshow Productions initiated legal action against Patriot Blue for trademark infringement.
In response the group changed its name from Patriot Blue to Patriot Blu.