Another media release from the Melbourne-based malcontents a/k/a the Coalition to Beat Back the Far-Right: ====== Media Conference 10.30am Thursday 28 August Victorian Trades Hall Meet the people disrupting the extremist World Congress of Families A third alternative venue for the World Congress of Families in Melbourne is now reviewing their plans to hire to the extreme Christian right event on August 30. The website of Aurora Receptions in Brunswick – heart of Melbourne’s feminist and gay “lifestyle” – has been swamped with online protests and critical reviews. Auroras staff have been telling many callers that the booking has been cancelled. Police have been vetting registrants and scouting venues in recent weeks in an attempt to provide security for the besieged event. An alliance of feminists, LGBTQI activists, unionists, refugee and anti-racist activists, and atheist and religious people against bigotry is causing chaos for conference organiser Babette Francis of the Endeavour Foundation (formerly Women who Want to be Women) by infiltrating the Congress and organising a disruptive “Unwelcome Ceremony” at 8am Equal Love Demonstration at 11am and family-friendly “Block Party against Hate” at 1.30pm wherever the Congress attempts to meet. Protest representatives will speak to the media on 28 August to explain why they oppose the WCF and their plans for a disruptive Day of Action on August 30. Kerrie Davies (Council of Single Mothers and their Children) Gaye Demanuele (Reproductive Justice Activist, Radical Women) First Nations spokesperson (TBA) Louise O’Shea (Equal Love) Mohammad Ali Baqiri (Former child refugee from Afghanistan detained on Nauru, Refugee Rights Activist) Marisa Sposaro (Disability rights and prison activist) Naomi Farmer (National Union of Students) Anonymous (Public sector worker and unionist) Several state and federal politicians are scheduled to speak at the congress. The Federal Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews will try to give the opening address. Victorian Attorney General Robert Clark will try to welcome delegates to Victoria. Victorian MLC Bernie Finn, South Australian Federal Senator Cory Bernardi and others will attempt to attend in support. “Unwelcome” organiser Debbie Brennan said the multitude of actions against the World Congress of Families shows the depth and strength of community opposition to the rise of extreme right-wing Christian fundamentalism in Australian politics. “This Congress is not just a harmless talkshop about ‘ideas’,” Brennan said. “With Andrews and Clark and all the other politicians who want to attend it is clearly about shaping government policy and law including laws against equal marriage and reproductive choice; a budget that hits the poor – and especially women and First Nations people; “work for the dole” and “income management”; the racist NT Intervention, closure of women’s refuges and legal services, and the racist, inhumane treatment of refugees. “The purpose of the Congress is clear: to strengthen the influence of the far right in Australian government. This means a world of hurt for ordinary people and our families and we will not just stand by and let it happen.” Media Conference Thursday 28 August, 10.30am Victorian Trades Hall Cnr Victoria and Lygon Streets, Carlton Room 1 (enter from Victoria St) Day of Action Against the WCF Saturday 30 August from 8am *Aurora Receptions, 149 Donald St, Brunswick East Unwelcome Ceremony 8am Equal Love Rally 11am Block Party Against Hate 12.30pm ======
Posted on: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 08:04:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015