Thousands of people are expected to attend the “Unite Against Racism: Migrants and Refugees Are Welcome” community rally being held in Belmore Park, 11.00am, Sunday, 19 October.
The rally has been called by a broad cross section of unions and community groups in response to the explicitly racist ‘March for Australia’ anti-migration rally being held the same day in Hyde Park.
Open Nazis spoke at March for Australia rallies in August and organized Nazis remain as organisers of the national rallies taking place this weekend. It was shameful that politicians like Pauline Hanson and Bob Katter supported March for Australia rallies in August.
March for Australia gains legitimacy from mainstream figures such as the former Opposition spokesperson for Home Affairs, Andrew Hastie, who is fueling the racism with claims that ‘Australians feel like strangers in our own home,’ and that the housing crisis is caused by the ‘post-pandemic influx of migrants.’
“Such claims are boosting March for Australia lies that migrants or refugees are responsible for increasing crime or home invasions,” said Refugee Action Coalition spokesperson and rally co-organiser, Ian Rintoul, “The government’s attacks on international students and refugees have to be opposed.”
“There is no place for racism on Sydney streets,” said Rintoul, “Migrants and refugees are not to blame for the rental crisis or for the government running down services. Rallies against One Nation were crucial to stopping it spreading anti-Asian and anti-Aboriginal racism in the 90s; rallies are crucial again.
“We won’t let migrants be scapegoated; we will stand united against racism.”
Speakers at the rally include:
Co-chairs: Amal Naser (Palestine Action Group), Ian Rintoul (Refugee Action Coalition)
Acknowledgement of country: Uncle Dave Bell
Mehreen Faruqi (NSW Greens Senator)
Natasha Watt (NSW Teachers Federation, Senior Vice President)
Paul Silva (Indigenous activist)
Shovan Bhattarai (Students for Palestine)
Luna (Pride in Protest)
Shannen Potter (Convenor Labor for Civil Liberties)
Keep Independent Journalism Alive – Support The AIMN
Dear Reader,
Since 2013, The Australian Independent Media Network has been a fearless voice for truth, giving public interest journalists a platform to hold power to account. From expert analysis on national and global events to uncovering issues that matter to you, we’re here because of your support.
Running an independent site isn’t cheap, and rising costs mean we need you now more than ever. Your donation – big or small – keeps our servers humming, our writers digging, and our stories free for all.
Join our community of truth-seekers. Donate via PayPal or credit card via the button below, or bank transfer [BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969] and help us keep shining a light.
With gratitude,
The AIMN Team
Would all those folk , migrants themselves earlier , or descendants of migrants , who march under this divisive banner , please be consistent, pack up and leave? Your house could then be available !
There is no way I will attend a rally to listen to a person welcoming me to a country I’ve lived in fo 60) year.
This welcome to country, just so much bullshit.
Welcome to Country is NOT bullshit, but the arguments against it are.
I’m just fed up of seeing flag waving and marches for this that and the next thing. Better than all this wasted effort,try doing something positive to help humans better inhabit this planet, the only home we all have, but seem keen to make life on it-miserable. Go help rebuild Gaza for example.
Opinions are like noses, everybody’s got one!
They may not be consistent with their opinions, they may lack rigorous thought, and that’s their lesson to learn, along with everyone else.
The fact that many can be hijacked with visceral emotions around ‘place, race and entitlements’ is what’s at play here, be very careful how you exercise that, as you do have a responsibility to the community regarding that.
jonangel:
Welcome to Country rites are not about welcoming you to Australia. They are local groups welcoming you to visit the lands for which they responsible. But you already know that …
leefe, I am beginning to think you are a professional protester and you are correct, I know what “welcome to country” is all about and I think it’s bullshit. I’ve walked this land longer than many who are welcoming me.
jonangel,I can trace my Australian ancestry back to my GGG grandfather – I LOVE “Welcome to Country”, it is a greeting from the wonderful people who originally lived in this land, who took care of this land, and to who we certainly owe more than we deliver. Treaty Now!
Ally, I don’t know how far back your GGG grandfather goes,? But if you like “welcome to country”, you enjoy. I happen to think it’s a nonsense.
Being made to feel welcomed is much better than being unwelcome.
jonangel:
Oh no, definitely not professional; I’ve never been paid a cent for it. I’m a fully self-funded activist for those causes which I support. It beats being an ignorant, self-centred bigot.
Michael, I’ll take your word for that, you obviously know more about it than I do. I just take people how I find them, their politics, religion and ethnicity are no business of mine.
I bow to you leefe, you obviously know more about bigotry than I do, but i wouldn’t accuse you of being “self centred” just a little misinformed.
jonangel, I’m fine with people who don’t go for that sort of thing. We are all entitled to our likes and dislikes.
Me, as a kid I used to hate having to say grace before a meal when staying with a school friend on a farm the other side of the island. Begrudgingly, I’d mutter a few words.