Monday, January 19, 2009

Lerv In Melbournistan.


Pics from today here.

While I never felt quite safe, I only got verbally abused for being a christian and supporting Israel.

By white people, of course.

None of us carried placards, and I'm glad about that, as the police presence was near non-existent. The one time I did have a chat to the police about the sign above, he really didn't have much of a clue about jihadi ideology.

I had explained that even though I was aware we've got some freedom of speech, I felt this one overstepped the limits and I was very offended by it.

When he did come to see it, he suggested that the crowd would take offence to it as I did. I laughed at that one, and said there was no way this crowd would disagree with the anti-Jewish signs and comments.

I'll do a proper post later, I just wanted to get these out there for now. I wasn't alone, and I'm expecting more photos from different parts of the rally.

We didn't go for the march down to Federation Square for more allah snackbarring, as this was more than enough for even me to stomach.

Taken at the State Library of Victoria, on Swanston Street (between Lt Lonsdale and Latrobe Streets), Melbournistan.

Usual players: the Communist Party, the Socialist Alliance, plenty of muslim groups, the ACTU, the nurses union (!). I wonder how all those working families who are paying their union dues feel about that?

Crossposted at AWH. And also thanks to Tim Blair for helping publicise this exciting multicultural event.

Ed to add:

More photos from someone called Takver.

Since he's on the inside (he may also be a she, of course, but unlikely), he got some better shots than I did.

I like this one:


And look! An aussie flag! Cue cognitive dissonance!

9 Comments:

At 3:53 PM, Blogger Jeremy said...

You need to resize that first picture. I know you want to blow it up as large as possible, but it's invading your blogroll.

 
At 5:47 PM, Blogger Nilk said...

LOL thanks for that, Jeremy. I'm a bit of a numpty at formatting.

 
At 11:06 PM, Blogger Boy on a bike said...

It's always fun attending these things as an outsider with a camera.

You need to take Chopper's advice for the next protest and harden up a little and document the whole thing.

 
At 12:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nilk,

Thanks a lot for this report.

We linked to your story and the pics.

 
At 12:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What you need to do is report that sign to VCAT and lodge a complaint for 'hate speech'.

 
At 1:59 PM, Blogger MathewK said...

So leftists crying for the return of the holocaust and all jeremy can come up with is advice on the picture size.

Perhaps if they were gay and wanted to get married, he wouldn't be so tongue-tied.

 
At 11:55 AM, Blogger Ahmed said...

I agree that this specific sign is racist but I can confidently say that It doesn't represent the masses in the rally. I used to attend such rallies and myself as most of the others, definitely all the organizers, differentiate between jewish and zionists! 

And I wouldn't be able to give better evidence than having Jewish speakers and organizers as well who stand against Zionism. 

I personally stand against such signs as well and their bearers regardless of their religion or background. 

On the other hand, trying to claim that this sign represents the whole rally and ignoring the rest of the signs and even criticizing holding the Aussie flag by someone in the rally -as the article does- is very unfair!

 
At 12:13 PM, Blogger Nilk said...

Ahmed, I was there and spoke to quite a few people and they were anti-Israel. Anti-zionism is the same thing.

The Hamas Charter is quite happy to tout for the obliteration of Israel, and Iran likewise.

I've had conversations with people who openly declare that Israel needs to be destroyed, too bad about the people there.

So Israel's "genocide" against the palestinians is not acceptable, bit the palestinians' unending provocation is.

It doesn't matter that the arab states have tried several times to wipe Israel off the map already - they failed miserably at that - it matters that Israel has the temerity to defend herself.

 
At 12:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

yea. I've been to many of these events and very very rarely see racist placards. The only other time I have seen such disgusting things as a sign refering to genocide against Jews (or anyone else) was one being held by an old white lady who was a little mentally strange after a quick chat with her.

 

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