Here is a word press article about what happened. https://www.facebook.com/events/74221... Side by Side – Rally & March Against Muslim vilification Posted on 23 Hours Ago by antiauthoritarianjournalism On Sunday October 5th despite the overwhelming focus on the football grand final, some 150 people rallied in solidarity with the Muslim community at Lakemba Train Station. “Side by Side, Rally against Muslim vilification and War” was organized by anti-authoritarians to show publically that many non-Muslims do not think that Islam is a danger to society. The speakers at the rally touched on how the recent fear campaign by the media has increased Islamophobia and racism, which has in turn led to verbal abuse, property damage and assaults on Muslim people. One speaker said: “Five people each year in this country die from falling off ladders, 0 die from terrorism yet the police do not send 800 cops to raid Bunnings”. Speakers were sceptical of the timing of these “terrorist” raids, just before a new war and invasive new anti terror laws. Others believed it to be simply a political move to distract the public from the budget cuts. low res at the rally (Photo of the “Side by Side” – Rally against Muslim vilification) A unionist from the NTEU (National Tertiary Education Union) said his union has passed a motion supporting Muslims. An Aboriginal Activist, Lyle Davis went up and spoke about how many Aboriginal people are terrorised by the Australian government, “Tony Abbott said do not let them change our way of life” and then relayed a story about how a month ago he was on the beach in Wollongong doing a ceremony in mourning the death of his sister’s son. Police arrested him for behaviour unbecoming. “the terrorist did win” Lyle said. A young anarchist took the microphone and said “They define terrorism as using violence or the threat of violence for political gain, if that is the definition, then every government in the world is guilty of terrorism”. A Muslim man Amar who had stopped to join the rally said he was very pleased to see this initiative in support of Muslims and against racism. At the end of the rally, some suggested going to Belmore and join fans of the Bulldogs, who were playing the Rabbitohs in the NRL grand final. Some anti-authoritarians had already made posters and put them up in the area. bullDogs lower res1959253_1568628246690314_4829051807130629777_n (Anti Racist, pro Bulldogs posters) Once the about 30 anti-racists arrived at Belmore, they took out a banner that said “Side by Side Against Racism”. Two police came over and told them they could not march as they would be disturbing the peace. The activists put it to a vote to see if people wanted to proceed anyway as they thought they were doing nothing illegal, and voted in favour of continuing. They walked past the police down the Burwood Rd, where thousands of bulldogs were in the street and chanted “Go Bulldogs! Fuck racism, Fuck Islamophobia!”. Many of the Bulldog fans started chanting with the demonstrators “Side by Side”. move on (Sam anti racism activist being moved on by police) Police mobilized and detained one of the demonstrators on the grounds of trying to incite a riot, a strange claim that a banner saying “Side by Side Against Racism” could do that. side by side (The Banner used at the march and rally) The detained activist was somehow able to slip away. While the police were able to force the activists to move on, it was certainly clear from those that joined in the protest and from the 80,000 attendees at the grand final booing Tony Abbott at the game’s conclusion, that there is support for public displays against racism and Islamaphobia, and that the Australian public will not tolerate economic fascism and fear campaigns designed to distract, divide and deceive. With this in mind there is reason to remain in hope that one day we can get as many people taking direct action against unjustified systems of power like racism and religious bigotry. The events of October 5th have led some of us to believe that in the future this may happen. Written By Shayne Hunter.
Results of the Side By Side Rally & March Against Racism & Islamophobia. - YouTube |
| 6 Likes | 6 Dislikes |
| 586 views views | 1,224 followers |
| Non-profits & Activism | Upload TimePublished on 6 Oct 2014 |
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét