Anti-Hanson protests in Victoria and NSW
Two thousand people participated in a silent vigil outside the launch of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in Ballarat on June 23. The protest was organised by community and church groups and supported by students from Ballarat University.
Campaign Against Racism members from Melbourne also attended. Susan Price from CAR told Green Left, "The rally succeeded in showing that Pauline Hanson has more opposition than support, even in a small rural centre like Ballarat.
"However, it would have been more useful if it had tackled some of the issues that Hanson is campaigning around. We need to explain why migrants don't cause unemployment and why Aborigines are not a privileged minority. You can only do that if you are vocal."
CAR is helping to build the rally against the Dandenong launch of One Nation on July 7 and will also protest at the Werribee launch on July 13. A major rally is also being planned for Hanson's visit to Geelong on July 18. For more details, phone CAR on (03) 9329 1277.
In Sydney's west, an anti-Hanson protest action will be held outside a One Nation public meeting at Richmond RSL, 6 Eastmarket Street in Richmond, on July 2 at 6pm. For more details, phone Resistance on (02) 9690 1977.