AAFI forced to close electoral office

By Dave Wright

PENRITH — Around 30 people rallied at Penrith Plaza in Sydney's west to protest the recent spate of racist attacks against migrants and Aboriginal people, particularly from Pauline Hanson and Graeme Campbell.

The rally, organised by the newly formed Penrith-Blue Mountains branch of the Democratic Socialist Party, was sponsored by Resistance and Asian Australians Against Further Intimidation.

Speakers from the Greens, the DSP and AAAFI condemned the attacks. Organisers wanted to highlight the question of racism in the Lindsay by-election held on October 19. Both major party candidates have largely avoided the question of racism.

Campbell recently received wide media coverage when he launched Australians Against Further Immigration candidate, Vince Townsends' campaign for Lindsay. AAFI have set up an electoral office in Penrith's main street, with posters calling for "A fair go for Australians". Campbell accused Asian migrants of spreading disease.

Campbell's claim was refuted at the rally by Reihana Mohideen from AAAFI who said that the spread of disease was a by-product of funding cuts to the health system, first under Labor and now by the Liberals.

Mohideen said that migrants did not cost other Australians jobs. "Thousands of public sector jobs have been cut, while funding has been slashed to health, education and welfare, as well as jobs being shed in the private sector", she said. "Real job creation rather than job cuts is needed. Government and big business are clearly the ones to blame for unemployment."

Organisers later learnt from police and local media that AAFI had closed down their office for fear of what would happen when demonstrators picketed their office. The anti-racism protesters vowed to continue their campaign.

From GLW issue 251