'Voting' against racism

July 22, 1998
Issue 
325

'Voting' against racism

By Amelia Jones and Mathew Munro

HOBART — When Hanson visited Hobart last year, more than 5000 people protested outside her public meeting against racism and bigotry. The details of her latest visit to Hobart, however, were kept top secret.

Despite this, 30 people turned up at the last moment to protest Hanson's arrival at Hobart airport on July 15. The vocal crowd included members of Resistance, the Wilderness Society, the Democratic Socialist Party, the Greens, migrant groups and a local gun control group.

Also last week, Resistance activists publicised the July 24 secondary student walkout against racism and One Nation by inviting young people to participate in a mock ballot on One Nation's policies, which support corporal punishment, compulsory national service for young people, Aboriginal funding cuts, immigration of only English speakers and capital punishment.

"Polling stations" were set up in Hobart's shopping mall and outside schools. Hundreds of young people "voted", overwhelmingly against One Nation. Students who walk out against racism on July 24 will rally at Parliament Lawns at 1pm. For more details phone 6234 6397.

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