Islamophobia is a form of cultural racism and racial vilification which has been prominent in Western Society since the start of the “War on Terror” in 2001. Attacks on the Muslim and Arab Communities of Australia have escalated in recent weeks in the wake of the so-called “terror raids” which have targeted the Muslim and Arab communities. Ordinary Australians from all backgrounds have been horrified at the greenlight given to racists by the Australian Abbott government and are taking a stand to say no to racism and Islamophobia. Racism in all it’s forms shouldn’t be tolerated in a Multicultural Society was one of the key sentiments of the ‘No to Islamophobia’ demonstration which took place today in Melbourne.
Today’s rally opposed the Abbott government’s use of the politics of fear to promote a wave of racist attacks on the Muslim and Arab communities. Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his government, aided by the mainstream media, have sought to create a moral panic by scapegoating the Muslim and Arab communities in order to fast track through laws restricting civil liberties and to distract from their unpopular budget.
The widely publicised “terror raids” and Abbott’s march to war, coupled with the government’s dogwhistle racism has given a green light to racists and bigots. In the last month, we have seen knife wielding attackers enter Muslim schools to threaten school children and teachers and Muslim women attack on the streets because of what they wear, including a terrifying attack where a Muslim woman was beaten and pushed from a train.
Aboriginal activist, Viv Malo give acknowledgement of country and speaks about racism in Australia, against both the Aboriginal community and the Muslim and Arab communities.
Adam Bandt, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens speaks at the rally
Jeff Sparrow, author and journalist.
Aboriginal activists in solidarity with the Muslim and Arab communities
*Permanent protection not temporary visas
*No Cambodia Deal
*No Boat Tow Backs
*No Offshore or Onshore Detenion
*Stop the scapegoating of refugees and Muslims
Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott’s war on refugees has been going on for almost a year now – after Kevin Rudd’s PNG deal paved the way for them. The war on refugees gets uglier by the day. Reza Barati was murdered, one man was shot, one had his throat cut and two men lost their eyes, in unprovoked attacks on asylum seekers on Manus Island by those who should have been responsible for their safety. Asylum seekers have been directly returned to their persecutors in Sri Lanka. 157 Tamil asylum seekers were kept prisoner in cramped windowless berths on the high seas for a month – Morrison was only forced to acknowledge their existence and bring them to Australia because of the efforts of the refugee movement. Rates of self-harm and mental health problems in detention are skyrocketing, they approach 50% on Manus Island. Children and babies are being kept on the hell-hole of Nauru, without access to decent education. Onshore and offshore detention and deterrence is costing close to $4 billion per year. Let Abbott know he can’t revive his political fortunes in the wake of his unfair budget by kicking refugees. This cruelty must stop. Join us on the first anniversary of Operation Sovereign Borders to demand an end to detention and deterrence, and instead welcome refugees, who should have the right to work in the Australian community while their claims are assessed.
A selection of photos from the Melbourne July 6 Trade Union and Community Bust the Budget rally and march: An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 turned out to oppose Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey’s classwar budget attacking workers, students, pensioners and the poor.
All photos: Kim Bullimore (click individual photos to view enlarged version)
a short video I shot on 21 May of the Melbourne student protest against the attacks on education by Prime Minster, Tony Abbott and Education Minister, Christopher Pyne. The protest which attracted between 4000-5000 students and supporters was part of a national day of action organised by the National Union of Students.
For more information the attacks on students and education, please see my earlier posts:
Yesterday, I joined over 100,000 people around Australia to March in March and oppose the policies of the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott and the Liberal (conservative) Australian government. All around Australia – over the weekend of March 15-17, in the capital cities and in regional areas, Australian voters and their families took to the streets to say they had “no confidence” in the Abbott government.
In Melbourne, 50,000 people joined the demonstration; in Sydney 20,ooo; in Adelaide 5,ooo, in Perth 2,000 and in Brisbane 15,000. Thousands of people also took to the streets over the weekend in regional centres such as Gosford, Wollongong, Townsville, Cairns, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Katoomba, as well as countless other towns around the country.
As the March in March Melbourne event listing noted: “This signifies the people’s vote of no confidence in policies of the government that go against common principles of humanity, decency, fairness social justice and equity, democratic governance, responsible global citizenship and conserving our natural heritage”.
At the Melbourne March in March, as with the other March in March demonstrations in other towns in cities, people carried placards on a range of issues. Protestors opposed Abbott’s policies on refugees, the environment, climate change, worker’s rights, Indigenous issues, women’s rights and much much more.
While I find most, if not all of Abbott’s policies aborhent, I am most appalled by his draconian policies on asylum seekers and refugees which has seen some of the most vulnerable people in the world, who are escaping trauma, persecution, poverty, war and starvation being locked up in hell holes as a part of Abbott’s off shore processing policy (which was initially started by the Rudd Labor government). This policy recently resulted in the murder of a young Iranian refugee, Reza Barati, on Manus Island.
Shamefully, the Australian Labor Party distanced itself from yesterday’s rally – no doubt because many of the issues people were protesting are also policies pursued by the ALP. According to the ABC: “The Labor Party has distanced itself from the rally, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten telling reporters, ”But I do get that people want to express their views. It’s a free country,” he said”.
Tony Abbott showed his contempt for the Australian pubic and voters by flippantly dismissing the protests. According to the ABC: “Prime Minister Tony Abbott was asked about the protests taking place in Australia’s capital cities today, but replied that, “My understanding is that the only big rally in Sydney is the St Patrick’s Day parade. That is the big event in Sydney today. I wish all of them well. If their parade is rained on, there is always some Guinness available around the city.”
I have included some images of some of the placards below. In particular, I have included some of my favourite cultural jamming ones, with pop culture references. I have also include along with some of my photos from the Melbourne rally and other placards referencing the issues people were protesting about. Also below is a video of the 50,000 strong Melbourne rally.
The very last photo I have included is of the fabulous Year 9 students from Newtown Performing Arts High School in Sydney. Earlier in the week they became a viral hit when a video of their encounter with Prime Minister Tony Abbott was uploaded onto youtube. In the video “Tony Abbott avoids and waffles himself through questions regarding gay marriage, asylum seekers and feminine [feminist] leadership asked by year 9 students from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Students”. I have included their video as well.
Culture Jamming Abbott’s policies at March in March
Photos: Sherlock (Newcastle); Joffrey (Melbourne); Wrecking Ball (unknown); Tinman/Wizard of Oz (Brisbane); Superman (Melbourne); Simpsons (Melbourne)
Not happy Tony!
Photos: 1. Katoomba, 2 Melbourne, 3 Cairns, 4 to 9 Melbourne, 10 unknown, 11 Brisbane, 12 Hobart, 13 Brisbane, 14 Sydney
Red Butterfly Effect 