Blair Cottrell
| Blair Cottrell | |
|---|---|
 Blair Cottrell during his time as an inmate at Port Phillip Prison | |
| Born |
Blair Cottrell 11 November 1989 Frankston, Victoria |
| Education | Did not complete high school |
| Home town | Frankston, Victoria |
| Movement | United Patriots Front |
| Criminal charge | Arson, stalking, threat to kill |
| Criminal penalty | Custodial sentence |
| Criminal status | Paroled |
| Parent(s) | Brian Cottrell |
Blair Cottrell (born 11 November 1989) is an Australian social media personality, far-right street protest movement leader and convicted arsonist and stalker.[1] Cottrell is the leader of United Patriots Front (UPF), a neo-Nazi anti-immigration splinter group of the Reclaim Australia movement. Cottrell replaced Shermon Burgess as leader of the group in October 2015.[2]
Biography
Cottrell is known for promoting his personal views on social media, views that include anti-feminist, antisemitic, anti-immigration, neo-Nazi, homophobic and transphobic, and anti-Islamic sentiments.[3][4] Cottrell has been criticised for several of his statements, including a desire to see a portrait of Adolf Hitler hung in Australian classrooms and for copies of Mein Kampf to be "issued annually" to students[5]
In November 2015, Cottrell announced plans for the UPF to register as a political party under the moniker "Fortitude".[6] As of May 2016, the party remains unregistered[7]
In February 2016, Cottrell was criticised after being photographed purchasing a meal from a halal-certified fast-food restaurant, despite his vocal opposition to halal certification and support for boycotts of certified businesses and products.[8][9] Also in February 2016, video surfaced of a television show segment some years earlier featuring an incarcerated Cottrell discussing his criminal convictions. Using the pseudonym 'Bruce', Cottrell spoke from inside Victoria's Port Philip Prison, detailing his offences including arson, stalking, making threats to kill and breaching intervention orders, and also discussed his addiction to steroids[10][11]
References
- ↑ "Blair Cottrell, rising anti-Islam movement leader, wanted Hitler in the classroom". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "Anti-Islam group leader Sherman Burgess the Great Aussie Patriot quits United Patriots Front after members tease him in Great Aussie Potator Facebook video. - Yahoo7". Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "Blair Cottrell". Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "These are the people behind anti-Muslim protests in Australia". Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "Anti-Islam leader Blair Cottrell wants photo of HITLER in Australian classrooms". Mail Online. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ Michael Safi. "Far-right United Patriots Front to form political party ahead of federal election". the Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "Fortitude Australia – Rise Without Fear". Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ Chad Freeman (4 February 2016). "Anti-Halal Campaigner Blair Cottrell Spotted At Kebab Shop". Complex AU. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ "Melbourne anti-Islam protester defends fellow activists eating halal kebabs". Mail Online. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ Blair Cottrell Leader of the United Patriots Front. Vimeo. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ↑ Blair Cottrell - Speaking from Port Phillip Prison (as an inmate). 22 February 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 – via YouTube.