A Sydney nurse and lifestyle influencer has come under fire after she appeared to mimic a Nazi salute as she prepared for a shift at the hospital.
Aimee Connor, who is known on social media as aims.lc, shared the now-deleted clip which showed her performing a gesture resembling the outlawed gesture last week.
The video, shared to her 1.2million followers, quickly drew criticism with viewers quickly describing the alleged act as ‘gross and disgusting’.
In response to the backlash, the influencer issued an apology video.
‘The video was taken out of context,’ she said, insisting the gesture was intended to be a ‘soldier’s salute’ and not a Nazi reference.
‘I want to be absolutely clear that was never my intention, and I do not in any way support or condone hate or extremism of any kind.’
She added that she has since taken time to reflect on the gesture’s implications.
‘I have taken some time to reflect and understand the deep significance a salute holds, especially to those in the armed forces,’ she said.
The video (pictured left) quickly drew criticism, with viewers quickly describing the alleged act as ‘gross and disgusting’
‘As someone who has not served, I realised it was not my place to use that gesture, even in a light-hearted way, and for that I am deeply sorry.’
She continued: ‘To any members of the military community or anyone else who felt disrespected, I really want to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology.’
The nurse also stated that the matter had been referred to police, and that the ‘Australian Police Force’ had investigated and cleared her of any wrongdoing.
Last January, the Nazi salute and hate symbols were outlawed across Australia, punishable by up to 12 months in prison.
The influencer said she and her family had been threatened over the video.
‘I have received some extremely concerning messages and threats against my family,’ she said.
‘I will not be taking any of these threats against myself or my children lightly, and they have been passed onto police.’
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission and a leading force behind the national push to ban public displays of the Nazi salute and swastika, has condemned the video.
Dr Dvir Abramovich described the video as a ‘symptom of dangerous ignorance’
‘For Holocaust survivors, that outstretched arm is not a symbol of fitness or fun – it is the gesture that marched six million Jews, and millions of others, to their death,’ he told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.
‘A gesture that once accompanied cries of ‘Heil Hitler’ is now edited into a ‘day in the life’ montage and seen by millions of followers.
‘That is not just poor judgment – it is a symptom of dangerous ignorance. This is the outcome when history is not taught, when Holocaust education is sidelined, and when genocide is flattened into a trend.’
Dr. Abramovich said the intent behind the video was irrelevant.
‘Intent does not erase impact,’ he said.
‘Whether accidental or deliberate, performing a Nazi salute in any context is an act that reopens wounds and desecrates memory.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police, the AFP, NSW Health and Ms Connor’s management for comment.