Rallying to say no to racism

A RALLY is set to be held in Ballarat at the weekend responding to what organisers said is an alarming increase in racist actions and discrimination against parts of the community.

The Ballaarat Anti-Racism Collective (BARC) will host its Say No to Racism rally on Saturday 28 March.

Ben Nunquam from BARC said they were prepared for any size of event.

“We’re trying to be as cooperative and manage risk and safety as much as possible with marshals and making sure police are informed,” he said.

He hoped the event could be a positive and uniting experience in response to parts of the community such as migrants being targeted by discrimination and racist activity.

“We’re responding to that,” Mr Nunquam said. “We think that Ballarat is sort of better than that. We don’t think that those ideas represent the majority of Ballarat people.

“So we just want to bring people together to show that, and hopefully it’s a bit of a process where we can keep the dialogue going and make communities really resilient to far-right attacks and racist attacks.”

BARC consisted of members from Victorian Socialists Ballarat, Ballaarat and District Greens, Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council, Free Palestine Ballarat and Extinction Rebellion.

Speakers will address the crowd on their own experiences with racism.

The rally will start from noon at the Queen Alexandra Bandstand on Sturt Street between Doveton and Dawson streets.

Mr Nunquam said those involved might walk along Sturt Street subject to crowd size. He advised potential participants to consider weather forecasts and sensory issues, to wear appropriate shoes for walking and to follow directions of marshals and organisers.

Potential participants have been asked to follow the collective’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.