Big Day Out Against Racism planned

Organisers of the Footscray Racism No Festival have joined forces with the March for Multiculturalism to stage a "Big Day Out Against Racism" on November 17. The day will start with a street march beginning at 1pm at the State Library and participants will then be asked to make their way to the festival in Footscray, starting at 4pm at the Footscray Primary School.

"We reject the federal government's attempt to isolate and marginalise the African community in Australia, and its targeting of the Sudanese community in particular", said Jo Williams from the Conch, one of the Racism No Festival organisers. "We welcome African migrants and refugees and celebrate their valuable contributions to our community",

Festival performers include the Conch, Ajak Kwai, Busted Onions, the Brothahood, Lorazi Red, Valanga Khoza and King Marong.

Organisers of the festival have called on the federal government to reinstate the humanitarian refugee intake quota from Africa and provide the support and resources all immigrants need to build new lives in Australia.

Williams urged people to get their "community group, church or school to support the day", to bring their families along "and show the politicians that Melbourne won't put up with racism and stands in solidarity with the Sudanese and other African communities".

For more information, visit <http://www.racismno.org>.

From GLW issue 730