By Molly Magennis
Maribyrnong council will install signs condemning racism at 89 sites across the municipality as part of its Racism Not Welcome campaign, which will launch on International Day for the Elimination of Racism next year.
As part of the campaign, #RacismNotWelcome could be stenciled onto footpaths, turned into letterbox stickers and be translated into key languages.
The community has suggested council also install the signs at key council buildings.
The signs will be translated into community languages, ahead of the campaign launch on March 21.
Councillors signed off on the campaign details during a council meeting last week, after considering feedback from the community.
The community engagement process saw 80 per cent of respondents say they are in support of the campaign.
However, during public question time at last week’s council meeting, one resident asked the council why the signs should be translated into other languages, when English is Australia’s “universal language”?
In response to the question, mayor Anthony Tran said council did not ask people to forget who they are and where they’ve come from.
“I will not stand nor will any councillor or any officer in this room stand for anything that is racist, discriminatory misogynist, bigotry, anything of that kind,” Cr Tran said.
Cr Jorge Jorquera echoed Cr Tran’s sentiments.
“Part of the campaign, or the heart of the campaign really, is to engender the sort of conversations that actually question time demonstrated about the community needs,” he said.
“Sadly, if anything, I think we could probably suggest that [racism has] been increasingly on the rise on a global scale.
“Hopefully, you know, we can spread this to other councils.”
