Community concern over anti-Islam rally
JCCV president John Searle has expressed concern over an anti-Islam rally planned to be held outside State Parliament in Melbourne next month.
AJN STAFF
THE head of Victoria’s Jewish community has expressed concern over an anti-Islam rally planned at State Parliament next month.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria president John Searle said that it is “very frightening” that police are having to monitor a group linked to far-right white supremacists, who are reportedly arranging the mass demonstration and march against immigrants and Muslims.
“We are against racism and vilification in all its forms,” he said. “A significant percentage of Melbourne’s Jewish community are Holocaust survivors, who came here to escape racism and live life away from vilification.”
The gathering is being promoted through a Facebook page that states: “Listen Aussies, it’s time to harden up, close the gate, look after our own and keep our country as our country.”
Fears have been raised that the rally will escalate into something similar to the 2005 Cronulla riots in Sydney.
“The Jewish community puts a high value on a free and tolerant society and supports the government, police and other cultural groups in striving to achieve these aims. There is no place for racism in Victoria,” Searle said.
A spokesperson from Victoria Police said a police response would be decided once all information had been gathered.
“Victoria Police will not tolerate any breach of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act,” the spokesperson told The Herald Sun.