The final "Justice Tour: Fighting Hanson's Racism" meeting, in Sydney on June 13, was the culmination of a very successful national tour to encourage people to join the struggle against the racism of MP Pauline Hanson and to fight the racist polices of the Howard Coalition government.
Aboriginal activist Yaluritja (Clarrie Isaacs) and Democratic Socialist Party member Reihana Mohideen addressed hundreds of people during their meetings, held in every mainland state capital and several regional centres. They were joined by local anti-racism campaigners at each stop. The Justice Tour was organised by Green Left Weekly.
Roberto Jorquera reports that 60 people attended the Brisbane meeting, held at the Resistance Centre on June 4. Mohideen, who is also convener of Asian Australians Against Further Intimidation, and Yaluritja were joined by Les Malezer from the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action.
The speakers noted that it was important to tackle Hanson's racist remarks head on. The discussion centred on the need to look beyond Hanson and fight all racist actions, ideologies and policies.
Malezer explained, "The laws of this country are completely inappropriate to the Aboriginal people. The big industries, pastoral industries, have not only been founded on Aboriginal land but also through the use of Aboriginal slave labour."
Mohideen pointed out that "Hanson is Howard's creation" because he had given racist bigots the green light. "We need to build a strong anti-racist movement that brings down the Howard government", Mohideen said.
Yaluritja described the hypocrisy of Howard's 10-point plan, which he said was "10 ways to extinguish native title".
The meeting endorsed the rally against the launching of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party on the Gold Coast on July 1. For more information, phone 3254 0565.
Fifty people gathered in Wollongong on June 10 to hear Yaluritja and Mohideen speak. Yaluritja gave an inspiring presentation about justice and reconciliation, outlining that the main issue for Aboriginal people is not money, but the right to self-determination, job prospects and a fulfilling future. Reconciliation is not possible without justice, he said.
Mohideen again linked Hanson's racist outpourings and Howard's own racist objectives. Both politicians have jostled to take credit over linking immigration to high unemployment, she pointed out.
More than 100 people attended the Justice Tour meeting in Canberra, held at the Australian National University on June 11, Rory Johnson reports. Local sponsors of the meeting included the ACT Trades and Labour Council, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Ngunnawal Land Council. Dr Nadeem Ansari welcomed people to the meeting on behalf of Green Left Weekly.
During discussion time two men from the stolen children generation spoke. They were sexually and violently abused as children and have failed to receive justice.
Isabel Coe, from the Aboriginal tent embassy, spoke passionately about the continuing abuse her people are being subjected to and the detrimental effect Howard's 10-point plan for native title will have on the already feeble reconciliation process.
The meeting finished with a plea by all speakers for solidarity between all groups so that racism can be combated by a strong united front. There was discussion of the possibility of a rally on August 9, prior to the second reading of the Wik bill.
In Newcastle on June 12, 35 people at the Newcastle Workers Club heard Yaluritja, Mohideen and BHP steelworker Geoff Payne, who spoke on the need for solidarity, not racism, to save jobs.
In Sydney, on June 13, more than 120 people filled the Glebe Town Hall, reports Alana Kerr. The evening opened with songs from the Solidarity Choir. Jenny Munro, from the Metropolitan Lands Council and a campaigner for the Redfern Block committee and Aboriginal "Day of Mourning" Heritage site, joined Yaluritja and Mohideen.
Pointing to the profound racism in Australian society, Munro said that rallies directed only against Hanson risked irrelevancy. She called for anti-racist activities to take every possible form, including getting involved with local Aboriginal and anti-racism struggles.
Yaluritja quipped that mainstream politicians don't just "practise" racism but are "professionals" at it. He suggested a national day of action be set for August 13 to protest against the second reading of Howard's Wik bill.
In Blacktown, in Sydney's western suburbs, Yaluritja and Mohideen participated in a lively speak-out against racism in the main mall during Saturday morning shopping on June 14, report Gail Lord and Liam Mitchell.
Many shoppers stopped to listen, some took the opportunity to express their opinions on the megaphone, and dozens signed petitions and bought copies of Green Left Weekly.