March 30, 2016
Media Coverage:
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has denounced the despicable attack against three Muslim schoolgirls in Norlane who were racially abused by a group of youths. The girls, aged 15, 12 and 11, were punched, had their headdresses ripped off, and had rocks thrown at them.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“Our stance has always been very clear. There is no place in Australia for such intolerance. I am horrified and outraged by this hateful attack, which is a matter of deep concern, and deplore it the strongest possible terms. Australians of all faiths, nationalities, and ethnicities should feel secure walking our streets without the fear or threat of being targeted for abuse and violence because of their religion or background. Acts of bigotry, such as the one that we saw take place in Geelong, are particularly harmful in the pain and fear they inflict on the victims and the entire community. As Jews, we know all too well what it is like to be targeted by racism, and we decry this disgraceful outburst of prejudice toward the three girls. The fact that this attack was carried out by children as young as seven, is a sad and distressing reminder that we have much work to do to in weeding out the roots of xenophobia through education. It is the duty of all good people to stand as one when the values of diversity and multiculturalism are threatened by such repugnant conduct and the best way to combat vile racism is to speak out against it and continue to fight it with all the tools we have available to us. Respect, inclusiveness and peaceful co-existence of all faiths in Australia are a key source of our strength as a nation, and we must continue to condemn all manifestations of bigotry whenever and wherever they occur.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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or visit our website at antidef.org.au