With multiple locations defaced with hate symbols, Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate the incidents. Residents in Newtown, Enmore, and Erskineville awoke to find homophobic slurs and Nazi-related symbols-including swastikas spray-painted on buildings and political posters.
Among the most prominent sites hit were the Imperial Hotel, a heritage-listed LGBTQIA+ venue and a cornerstone of Sydney’s queer community, where a black swastika was foundpainted on an exterior wall over signage declaring the venue “proudly LGBTIQ+.
Police have so far identified 27 defaced political posters, two structures in Newtown, and a sign outside the Imperial Hotel as being vandalised with offensive words and symbols. Several posters, including those promoting Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and openly queer Greens candidate Luc Velez, were specifically targeted with homophobic, Islamophobic, and ableist slurs, as well as Nazi imagery.
Community and Political Response
Richie Haines, Chief Operating Officer of Universal Hotels (which operates the Imperial), condemned the attacks, stating,
“There is absolutely no place in our society for such senseless hate and intolerance.”
Haines noted that the graffiti appeared to be part of a broader campaign rather than a direct attack on the Imperial itself.
Federal MP for Sydney Tanya Plibersek also condemned the vandalism, highlighting the importance of safe, welcoming spaces and the need to protect democratic participation. Senator Faruqi described the attacks as “vile and cowardly,” linking them to her party’s stance on Palestinian rights and broader issues of racism and harassment.
The incidents are being investigated under NSW’s recently strengthened hate speech laws, which prohibit the public display of Nazi symbols and carry penalties of up to $11,000, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.
The Imperial Hotel, recently added to the NSW State Heritage Register, has long served as a safe haven and cultural hub for Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community. Its history as a site of inclusivity and artistic expression makes the recent attacks particularly distressing for many in the community.
“The Imperial Hotel is home to stories of love, pride, protest and resistance. It holds the memories of generations in our community who have gathered there together and continues to be a safe space for many,”
said Tanya Plibersek.
As the investigation continues, community leaders and police are urging vigilance and solidarity in the face of hate-driven vandalism.
