Police have arrested a 62-year-old man after a Green Party rally in Hastings was disrupted by agitators who unfurled flags and used a megaphone, while one man gave a series of Nazi salutes. The incident occurred on Thursday as Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, addressed hundreds of supporters in the seaside town, whose council is controlled by the Greens, ahead of local elections next week.
Disruption at the Rally
As soon as Mr Polanski began speaking, a group of men standing in one corner above the courtyard lowered a megaphone and attempted to speak over the politician. Two men unfurled a Reform UK flag, and another held a St George's Cross flag above the Green Party leader. During the disturbance, one man performed at least three Nazi salutes, witnessed by The Independent and caught on camera.
The group Stand Up To Racism posted footage of the Nazi salutes on Facebook and Instagram, and police are now appealing for more information.
Arrest and Police Response
A spokesperson for Sussex Police confirmed the arrest in an email to The Independent: 'We are aware of a video circulating on social media in relation to an incident reported to have taken place at a political event in Hastings on 30 April. Following swift enquiries, a 62-year-old man from Hastings has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated Section 4A public order offence of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress. He remains in custody at this time.'
They added: 'Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances, and we would encourage anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact police.'
Polanski's Address
The flag waving and Nazi salutes came as Mr Polanski addressed the double stabbing in Golders Green on Wednesday, which he described as 'horrific'. Speaking about his broader vision for the Green Party, he said: 'It is a politics that rejects anti-semitism and the horrific events of yesterday. It's a politics which recognises we stand with our Jewish communities as we stand with our Muslim communities and our non-faith communities. When they come for one of us, I say this as a Jewish man, they come for all of us, and we will stand together and we will not be divided.'
Green Party and Reform UK Reactions
A Green Party spokesperson told The Independent: 'The Green Party is appalled that our leader, Zack Polanski, was harassed by a group of agitators who performed Nazi salutes. Zack is the only Jewish leader of a political party in this country, and he faces this kind of antisemitic abuse far too often. The Green Party stands firmly against antisemitism and in solidarity with Jewish communities. In the wake of the horrific attacks in Golders Green, we are clear that Jewish people must be protected.'
They added: 'Given that the men involved appeared to be Reform UK supporters, we expect the party to investigate the incident as a matter of urgency.'
Reform UK described the salute as 'abhorrent' and distanced themselves from the individual, who they said was not connected to the party's supporters who unveiled the Reform flag. In an email to The Independent, they said: 'The two men holding the Reform flag were not responsible for the abhorrent action. The individual responsible was a nearby man with no connection to the party in any capacity.'
