Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Franklin Square at noon in Hobart tomorrow in response to an anti-Islam rally dubbed ‘Reclaim Australia’.
Reclaim Australia rallies are anticipated to be held in multiple cities across Australia, protesting against what their website claims is the “Islamisation” of Australia.
The majority of these Reclaim Australia rallies will be met with counter-rallies by concerned citizens.
It is expected that several hundred people will gather with a message of celebration of diversity and to renounce the notion that Reclaim Australia represents the views of all Australians.
Those attending the counter rally tomorrow are not part of any organisation of formal group, but are a collection of concerned citizens speaking out against divisive, inflammatory, bigoted, and xenophobic hate-speech.
One attendee of the counter-rally stated that “the Reclaim Australia website heralds ‘the Australian way’ as being a justification for their anti-Islam sentiments; however we are of the opinion that acceptance and celebration of diversity of culture, ethnicity, and religion is more aligned with Australia’s desired national identity.”
It is expected to be a peaceful gathering, with supporters of the counter-rally advocating non-violence and a non-confrontational presence.
They are hoping that the Reclaim Australia group will also maintain civility and non-violence.
