Balaclava-clad neo-Nazis condemned by state leader after being pulled off train on Australia Day with six arrests – as group's leader railed against police

NSW Premier Chris Minns has condemned a balaclava-clad neo-Nazi group who were kicked off a train on a shocking Australia Day. Scenes say their actions do not represent how Australia Day should be celebrated.

More than 70 members of the extremist group Nationalist Socialist Network were taken off the train at North Sydney station about 11.30am on Friday after the hooded men boarded at Artarmon station.

The group, led by Melbourne-based white supremacist leader Thomas Sewell, was seen wearing balaclavas and black sunglasses, while others waved Australian flags and one carried a riot shield.

They swarmed the platform as shocked passengers and families looked on before boarding the train's final carriage.

The driver stopped the train at North Sydney station, four stops away on the T1 North Sydney line, just before midday when more than 20 police officers intercepted the train.

All passengers were safely evacuated before officers detained the group of men on the train for three hours.

Six members of the group were arrested, while 55 others were fined for offensive behavior on public transport.

Mr Minns slammed the group's actions, saying this is not the way Australia Day is celebrated.

“Normal people don't celebrate Australia Day wearing a balaclava,” he said The Daily Telegraph.'

“There is absolutely no tolerance for this behavior.”

It was believed the group was trying to organize a pro-white rally as thousands of people gathered in the CBD to take part in the 'Invasion Day' protests.

The group later became involved in a tense confrontation with armed Public Order and Riot Squad officers after the group, dressed in all black clothing, was led to St Peters Park near North Sydney station just before 3pm.

The group of more than 70 men (pictured) were seen carrying Australian flags and even a riot shield

Police held the men aboard the train (pictured) for about three hours after all passengers were safely evacuated

Police read a departure order to the group before Sewell, a convicted criminal, delivered a bizarre racist rant after addressing heavily armed officers about what the extremist group stood for.

“What we represent are white Australians who will not be mollified by homosexuals, communists and Jews…” he said.

“We stand strong as white Australians and celebrate our National Day.”

Sewell, who was jailed for attacking a group of hikers in Victoria in 2021, told the newspaper that his white supremacist group should not have been arrested.

He said they planned to stage a protest because they believed Australia Day was being “destroyed” by “anti-white communists”.

Sewell then continued to insult police during his tirade, telling them to go get a “trade” instead of being part of an oppressive state that he claimed was designed to make “anti-white people to serve'. [and] anti-Australian terrorists'.

Sewell (pictured) said the group planned to organize a pro-white rally in the city

The group was later led away by police to St Peters Park (pictured) near North Sydney station, where officers read out a notice to leave for the group.

The investigation into yesterday's incident is ongoing and charges are expected to be filed.

Police will maintain a strong presence throughout the long weekend as thousands braved temperatures of almost 40 degrees on Friday to mark the holiday.

Millions of people across the country celebrated, commemorated or protested on January 26, a day that marks the arrival of the First Fleet and the raising of the Union Jack flag at Sydney Cove by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788.

Others were seen cooling off on Sydney beaches, while some spent the day with friends and family at the harbour.