En Passant

I wrote this in July after I had just got back from the Canberra Anti-Racist Network rally against the racists and fascists from Reclaim Australia. It was fantastic. There were about 30 of them and 150 of us. We spoke about how they were responding to Tony Abbott’s agenda of fear and division and his talk of Team Australia. Demonising refugees, attacking Aborigines and belittling Muslims all combine, in times of a worsening economy, to give a spark to the racists and fascists and their simplistic and very very dangerous rubbish. You can read the whole article here.

‘We write to express our disappointment in the way the demonstration [in Sydney] against Reclaim Australia concluded on Sunday… The rally today had a number of strengths that can be built on to take this movement forward. But the unnecessary and undemocratic confrontation with police was a step back and must not be repeated. We will need a more democratic, honest approach to organising to make any future events successful.’

In an article in the Canberra Times on our anti-Reclaim Australia rally on Sunday at Parliament House, Christopher Knaus quotes me. The report itself doesn’t mention the strong Aboriginal Tent Embassy presence at the anti-Reclaim rally. Here is one of my poor photos of the 25 or so Aboriginal comrades at the beginning of the protest against racism.

Wrapped in the Australian flag, chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi, oi, oi and sprouting hateful lies and abuse against Muslims and anti-fascists and anti-racists like me, and wanting to undertake physical action against its perceived enemies, these white nationalist Reclaim Australia people, mainly alienated middle aged and young men, are a potential lumpen proletariat wing of fascism. It made me realise why some alienated young men might also join or support Reclaim’s alter ego and mirror image, ISIS.

If you want to fight against Islamophobia and racism, join these demonstrations across Australia on Sunday taking a stand for decency and humanity. Stop the racists and fascists.

We live in dangerous times. The fascists have guns. One tried to bring a gun to a Reclaim Australia rally. A complicit media and political elite remain silent. We must continue our struggle against racism and Islamaphobia.

The capitalist media reports and emphasises or spins things that reinforce a capitalist world view. To seriously report, let alone investigate, police violence against medics, or domestic violence, might undermine two key pillars of capitalist society – the police and the family.

Well done to all those in Canberra who attended this great turnout to confront the racists. We outnumbered them five to one. We kicked their sorry arses.

Anti-racist and anti-fascist rallies are being organized across the country for Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of July: Saturday: Melbourne – 18 July 10am at Parliament House https://www.facebook.com/events/1600263403576857 Adelaide – 18 July 10am Parliament House https://www.facebook.com/events/809797515778164/ Sunday: Sydney – 19 July 10am at Martin Place https://www.facebook.com/events/346452865546642/ Canberra – 19 July 11am at King Edward Terrace […]