Thousands march against racism : Melbourne Indymedia

Thousands of people in Sydney and Newcastle have rallied against racism after a week of violence on and near Sydney's beaches.

About 2,000 people have marched through the streets of Sydney's central business district calling for racial harmony and understanding.

The march has been organised by the National Union of Students.

One of the organisers, Matt Noffs, says it cannot left to politicians to provide solutions.

"I don't feel that the responses that have been made during the week have actually helped the situation," he said.

"They might have suppressed some of the violence that is sure to happen in these situations anyway but they certainly don't look at the solutions."

Mr Noffs says solutions have to come from the people.

No excuses

Chadi Sankary, a student of Lebanese background, has told those at the rally that alcohol consumption is no excuse.

"People are not willing to admit that this is about racism," he said.

"You can't be under the influence of alcohol and paint your massive banners with racial slogans on them or you can't make t-shirts while you're drunk so it can't be accepted as an excuse."

A resident from Cronulla, where the violence has been centred, says people do not want to put up with racism.

"I've just come back from overseas and I'm fed up with a country full of racism," the resident said.

Another said: "We need no anti-terror law, we need the anti-racism law."

Muslim Scapegoating

Grahame Chapman from Stop Racism Now said the Government and Opposition must stop scapegoating Muslims for their war on terror.

"For 5 years now the Liberal Government and Labor have been quick to scapegoat Muslims as terrorists making up false allegations against them and leaving every other Muslim less than second class citizens, now suspects," he said.

Media disgrace

A petition was signed against 2GB for promoting the racism that led to the violence and the huge gathering of 5,000 at Cronulla beach last Sunday.

The march finished at Bellmore Park, where a separate peace rally was taking place.

Newcastle gathering

In Newcastle, more people have gathered for a peace rally than have headed for the beach.

Addressing the 150-strong crowd, Newcastle University academic Dr Inta Allegritta emphasised the need for racial tolerance in a multicultural society.

"You have a democratic vision of Australia where cultural diversity and cultural democracy plays a very strong role," Dr Allegritta said.

Similar rallies have also been held in Brisbane and Melbourne.