Northcote rally against racism
By Ben Reid
MELBOURNE — Two hundred people rallied against racism and One Nation in Northcote on August 8. The rally was part of the Democratic Socialists' by-election campaign.
With no Liberal candidate in the August 15 poll, there are fears that One Nation may win a disproportionately large vote.
Democratic Socialist candidate Maurice Sibelle chaired and outlined the reasons for the rally. "The major parties have failed the Australian people. Liberal and Labor have both cut spending on welfare and services. Under the federal Labor government, there was the biggest shift of wealth from workers to profits in Australia's history", he said. "This has created the conditions for Hanson to promote her racist and scapegoating politics."
"Well, we say don't blame migrants and Aborigines, blame Liberal and Labor. Build a real opposition and support the Democratic Socialists' campaigns, inside and outside the parliamentary arena."
A Resistance student walkout organiser, Reuben Ewan, told the rally: "Young people have rejected Hanson's racism, they've ignored the media's red-baiting of Resistance and they've shown they can lead the fight back against both One Nation and Howard's racism."
Chris Spindler, an Australian Manufacturing Workers Union activist involved with the Workers First group, condemned trade union official who collaborate with the immigration department to have "illegal" migrant workers deported.
The Democratic Socialists and Resistance are organising other events in Northcote, including a Rhythms Against Racism, featuring Ray Pereira and friends, and the Rhythm Sticks, on August 12, 8pm at the Commercial Hotel, 301 High Street. As well, a public meeting with the Democratic Socialist, Democrat, Green and Progressive Labour Party candidates for Northcote will be held on August 10, 7pm at the Northcote Bowls Club, 28 Pearl Street. For more information, phone 9329 1277.