By Molly Magennis
Maribrynong council have began installing anti-racism street signs across the municipality as a part of their #RacismNotWelcome campaign.
These street signs will appear outside council buildings and at open spaces across the municipality, including the Footscray Library, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and Footscray Park.
Footpath decals will also be printed on walkways, and stickers will also be available for residents to place on their mailboxes. Residents who would like to can collect their free letterbox sticker from Council libraries, community centres and Footscray Town Hall.
The launch of the street signs coincided with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Monday March 21. Maribrynong council is the first in Victoria to adopt and endorse this campaign.
Last year in December, councillors signed off on the campaign details after considering feedback from the community.
The community engagement process saw 80 per cent of respondents say they are in support of the campaign.
Residents also asked that the messaging be translated into key community languages to reflect the diversity of the local community.
Councillor Jorge Jorquera, who has been continually vocal about his support for this campaign, attended the public launch on Monday 21.
“It was great to have so many community supporters at the launch, including a whole bunch of Footscray High students, activists from VietSpeak, Africause, Justice Action Maribyrnong, Green Guerillas & Victorian Socialists,” he said in a Facebook post.
Mayor Anthony Tran said he would like to live in a community where “tolerance and respect are valued and differences are celebrated”.
“This campaign reinforces Council’s commitment to fostering and promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion in our community that highlights the advantages of diversity by encouraging residents to recognise and call out racism,” he said.
“I look forward to the roll out of the street signs and decals. Help us launch this campaign throughout our city by placing the #racismnotwelcome stickers on your letterboxes.”
