PROTEST: Oppose the anti-vax far right In Melbourne
Join the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism in Melbourne to protest the far-right anti-vaxxers trying to march in our streets, as part of a national day of anti-fascist action. Let everyone know that Melbourne is a pro-vax, anti-fascist town!
On November 20 the anti-vax movement will be holding another rally. Those organising the protest are linked up with far-right movements around the world. Their politics are deeply reactionary. They stand against public health measures including the restrictions and vaccines that have saved countless lives. While our hospitals and healthcare workers are being overrun, they celebrate selfish individualism that would see the bodies pile high as the virus rips through the community unabated.
This far-right worldview is intensely anti-human. It has seen protesters spit on Melbourne’s healthcare workers, shout racist abuse at Aboriginal people who oppose them, and close down a vaccination hub that services the homeless.
The upcoming protest is organised by Melbourne Freedom Rally, a shadowy outfit led by Harrison McLean. McLean was recently exposed for plotting to use COVID-19 scepticism to walk people towards far-right fringe conspiracies and the “Jewish question”. Supporters include Reignite Democracy Australia, the electoralist arm of the movement who have recently teamed up with Clive Palmer and Craig Kelly to create a new far-right force in Australian politics. Proud Boys, a neo-fascist, misogynist and anti-trans all-male group are regular attendees at these protests, seeing them as a fertile breeding ground for their ideas.
These figures are drawing inspiration and encouragement from far-right advances around the world. In October, a like-minded mob of fascists physically attacked and destroyed trade union offices in Rome. In New York, anti-vax protesters tore down a COVID-19 testing tent. When the far right advances like this, it is an immediate threat to people of colour, women, and LGBTI people, who are set within their crosshairs. This vile scum must be opposed by ordinary people.
Relentless counter-protests were how we defeated the far-right Reclaim Australia movement in 2015. To defeat the fascists this time we must build our forces and politically counter them. CARF is organising a counter-demonstration against the anti-vax far right on November 20 to show public opposition to these views and organisations.
We call on all anti-fascists and all those who support public health to join our rally and build the movement against the far right.
When: Saturday, 20 November, 2021 at 12pm
Where: Eight Hour Day Monument, Cnr Russell St and Victoria St, Melbourne