Rock Against Racism to shake detention centre

BY ARUN PRADHAN

MELBOURNE — "I got involved before the Tampa crisis", says singer Ross McLennan of Melbourne band Snout. "Turning refugees away was terrible — but locking them up, telling lies about them and inciting racism was enough for me to want to do something."

With Snout's new album Managing Good Looks gaining considerable publicity and airplay, the band has taken time out of their busy schedule to play at a Rock Against Racism outside the Melbourne's Maribyrnong immigration detention centre.

McLennan said that he spent a long time "watching the news in frustration and wondering how to connect with what was happening and make a difference" before becoming a regular at Melbourne refugee rights protests.

"I wonder how are we going to look at ourselves?" McLennan asked. "I think everyone is feeling ashamed about [the government's refugee policy], whether they acknowledge it or not. We can't live with that sort of self-hatred."

Leanne Petroff, a member of Refugee Action Collective (West) and one of the event's organisers, said that the concert was designed to help move a new generation into action.

She explained, "We are especially asking young people who have been curious and concerned about the issue to come along and find out more in what will be a fun day of protest and music."

Petroff said that the Rock Against Racism was also a way for people to show their generosity: "Where possible we are asking people to bring gifts and Christmas presents for the detainees and for asylum seekers in our community."

Other bands joining Snout include the Dave Graney Show, The Brown Hornet and Mach Pelican. The event is to be held opposite the detention centre on 53 Hampstead Road, Maribyrnong on November 24 at 1pm. For more information phone (03) 9689 9867.

From Green Left Weekly, November 21, 2001.

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From GLW issue 472