By Ben Courtice
MELBOURNE — More than 60 people attended an anti-racist conference strategy over October 18-19 organised by Campaign Against Racism (CAR), an activist group that has organised the rallies against One Nation meetings.
The first day, which focused on the nature of racism in Australia, included Adam Lovett and Peter Clarke from the Mirimbiak Nations, an umbrella group of Victorian Aboriginal tribes who spoke about land rights and land claims in Victoria, and the stolen generation.
Rajeevan Arumugam, from the Consortium of Tamil Organisations, addressed issues facing immigrants, and compared racism in Australia with racism against Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Dean Mighell, state secretary of the Electrical Trades Union, gave some graphic illustrations of work place exploitation of immigrants.
In discussion questions were raised about how useful multiculturalism has been, and whether Hanson's racism is significantly worse (or qualitatively different) to that of John Howard.
The second day was devoted to discussing strategy. Sid Spindler, a former Democrat Senator and member of Defenders of Native Title, spoke about his experiences in parliament and DONT's campaign to stop the 10-point Wik plan.
Jodi Sita, from the International Socialist Organisation, spoke about how racism is used to divide working people and the ISO's campaign to get Moreland City Council to ban One Nation from using council facilities.
Maurice Sibelle, from the Democratic Socialist Party, argued for the building of a mass anti-racist movement that involves broad layers of people rather than a strategy which calls for bans on One Nation or lobbys parliamentarians. Effective political action requires people to act for themselves, he said.
On one workshop Jacqui Geia from the Mirimbiak Corporation talked about native title and land rights. Others covered: the origins of racism; racism and homophobia; immigration and unemployment; student activism; union activism, and the campaign against the neo-Nazis.
A number of resolutions were passed including a near-unanimous vote advocating that councils organise counter-demonstrations against One Nation and other racists instead of trying to ban them. The conference also resolved that CAR would continue to hold rallies against One Nation meetings. A rally against racism has been called on December 13 as part of a national day of anti-racist action. For more information, phone CAR on (03) 9329 1277.