The anti-migration rallies across the country this weekend have left some members of multicultural communities feeling unwelcome after Melbourne’s own rally saw neo-nazis address the crowd and enact targeted violence.
Sunday’s “March for Australia,” described as a gathering of concerned families, has been widely condemned.
Though organisers disavowed involvement from far-right groups, members of the neo-nazi organisation, National Socialist Network, participated in the Melbourne rally and its leader, Thomas Sewell, was allowed to address the crowd before the steps of State Parliament.
Pakenham’s community leader, counsellor and pastor Willy Mudiayi expressed concern for his community’s safety, both when passing rallies and in daily life moving forward.
“Now, we live with doubt, because you never know how Australians might treat you in private. The trust is gone,“ Mudiayi said.
“We don’t feel safe or welcomed. Before, we thought we were welcome, but these rallies have changed our minds. I told my children to be careful, because this won’t be the first or last rally we see.”
Initially, he was motivated to migrate to Australia because it was promoted as one of the world’s most multicultural nations, and he genuinely believed it.
After moving, however, his experiences and those of his community “paint a different picture”.
“I don’t know, it’s just a regret moving here,” he said.
“Australian citizenship is not helping us. My skin is still the same. My accent is foreign. So, being a citizen doesn’t change anything on that basis. Racism will continue.”
Mudiayi believes a lack of awareness and leadership is enabling these rallies.
“The Australian Government has not explained enough why some immigrants are here and contributing,” he said.
“If these people knew how we are contributing here, and how our countries back home are contributing with minerals and other resources. They would be more thankful.”
The pastor called for all levels of government to take stronger action to promote inclusion and recognise the contributions of migrant communities.
“We need the government to speak up, show support, and explain why immigrants are here. They should use their voice to support the multicultural community who are contributing here,“ he said.
The rally was condemned by both sides of politics. Opposition Leader Brad Battin said it was divisive last week, particularly in targeting Indian-Australians in their promotional material.
“We condemn these rallies and the abhorrent messaging associated with them. Victoria is a proudly multicultural and multifaith state, and the Liberals and Nationals will always stand with all Victorians, no matter their background,” he said.
“Our state has been built on the contributions of generations of migrants who have made Victoria their home, and we are stronger for it. Any attempt to incite hatred or division against any community is completely unacceptable.“
After the rally, the black-shirted group, including leader Sewell, was seen splintering from the rally, where they attacked Camp Sovereignty, an ongoing protest encampment by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Ambulance Victoria transported a woman to hospital after the attack and police are currently investigating.
Indigenous leaders have called for the attack to be treated as a hate crime.
Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer’s Harpreet Singh said the day should remind us to work together.
“I believe that all of us have chosen to make Australia our home, and it is important that we work together by recognising and building on each other’s strengths,” he said.
“Acknowledging our differences and celebrating diversity is valuable, as it broadens our perspectives and often leads us to discover better ways of doing things.”
