Saturday September 22, 4pm. Resistance Centre, 22 Mountain St, Ultimo.
Angered by the US Christian right's anti-muslim film "The Innocence of Muslims", around 300-400 Muslim men, women and children rallied in Sydney on September 15 to protest the video. They were met by a massive police presence which used pepper spray, tasers, police dogs and brute force, which precipitated clashes and saw 17 protesters injured along with 6 police. The so-called "Sydney riot" has been used to escalate the racism against Muslim communities in Australia, with the media fueling hysteria. But there is also debate around democratic rights, the role of religion, and free speech. Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and the Australian Greens rushed to condemn the rally but what was the context for the rally itself? Is it just about a YouTube video or broader issues? What was the police's role, the media's, and politicians?
This forum will hear from eyewitnesses from the protest itself, who can relay what actually happened, and from journalists who will discuss free speech and responding to racism. Speakers include 3 who witnessed the rally and the police actions - Matt Watt, Support Assange and Wikileaks coalition; Rachel Evans, Sydney Socialist Alliance; Josh Lees, Socialist Alternative PLUS Green Left Weekly journalist Tim Dobson and special guest Austin Mackell, independent journalist who will report via Skype from Cairo, Egypt, to reflect on the international aspect of the protests.