With less than 24-hours’ notice, more than 100 mostly young people organised a vibrant protest on August 28 to show Pauline Hanson and One Nation that they are not welcome in Toronto, NSW.
Toronto High students and Youth Rising (a group that supports Rising Tide) and others others lined the footpath at the Toronto Hotel where Hanson held a $1000-a-head fundraising dinner for One Nation’s Cessnock candidate.
Many decorated themselves as clowns. They created a festive atmosphere, dancing to rap and popular music including “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, the Macarena and, of course, the Pauline Pantsdown hit “I don't like it”.
There were busts of chanting, including “Racist, sexist, anti-queer, Hanson you’re not welcome here”.
A number of those driving by showed their support, with excited waves, shouts, blowing kisses and vigorously honking their horns.
The NSW Police presence was mild, with occasional requests to ensure a clear passage along the footpath.
Two Toronto High students told me that this was their first protest, and that most people are their school mates. “We're so glad we came; we didn’t think it would make a difference but it did, we just feel so much better and we feel we can change things.”