Aussie ‘patriots’ try to guard Captain Cook statue – but their attempt turned into a massive failure after police were called in

Two self-styled ‘Australian nationalists’ who tried to protect a statue of Captain James Cook from vandals in Sydney on the eve of Australia Day say they have been moved by police.

Gabriel Mare claims he and an associate were stopped by NSW Police in Hyde Park on Thursday evening while trying to guard the statue.

He said police intervened after just seven minutes and asked them to leave.

“We were only concerned about white men in the community who were concerned about the safety of the statue targeted by anti-white activists,” he wrote.

Social media accounts linked to white nationalists have urged nationwide action to protect statues from activists targeting monuments to colonial figures.

It comes after another Captain Cook statue was sawed off at the ankles and a Queen Victoria monument was doused in red paint on the eve of Australia Day.

Police are investigating criminal damage to the Cook statue on Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, it was reported at around 3.30am on Thursday.

Police say several people were hanging out in the area around the time of the incident.

A video on Instagram showed a group, with their faces covered, tearing down the statue and painting the words “the colony will fall” on its stone base.

The same group also apparently attacked the Queen Victoria monument in Queen Victoria Gardens, throwing red paint over the monument.

Port Phillip Council Mayor Heather Cunsolo said she was disappointed that Captain Cook’s statue had been vandalized.

“We understand and recognize the complex and diverse views surrounding Australia Day,” she said.

“However, we cannot condone the vandalism of a public asset whose costs are ultimately borne by taxpayers.”

The chef statue has been removed and workers have removed the feet from the pedestal.

Ms Cunsolo said the council had arranged security at the monument from Thursday afternoon as a precaution.

The same statue was doused with red paint by demonstrators in January 2022 as a statement for the day of the invasion.

A City of Melbourne spokesperson said the city council was aware of the vandalism commemorating Queen Victoria and informed police.

A spray can and red paint cans could be seen meters from the statue.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the government would work with Port Phillip council to repair and restore the Cook statue in St Kilda.

“This type of vandalism really has no place in our community,” Ms Allan said.

Opposition leader John Pesutto said vandalism was “totally unacceptable”.

“There is no place in our community for acts of vandalism or other acts of violence against people or property,” he said.

“We support people’s right to protest and demonstrate, but it must always be done in a peaceful and respectful manner.”

Although January 26 remains a historically important day commemorating the anniversary of the British settlement in 1788, its significance is increasingly disputed.

For a growing part of the population, the day marks the beginning of a colonial history ravaged by discrimination and dispossession of indigenous peoples, prompting calls to change the date of the national holiday.

January 26 is alternately celebrated as a day of mourning for Indigenous Australians, with protests on Invasion and Survival Day.

Australia Day wasn’t always celebrated on January 26, once a NSW-centric celebration celebrating the foundations of the capital.

Since its official recognition as Australia Day in 1935 and its establishment as a public holiday in 1994, January 26 has become synonymous with nationalist festivities.