In a surprise move, the far-right group Reclaim Australia has moved its rally on November 22 from Melbourne's CBD to Melton, which lies west of Melbourne.
Reclaim Australia is modelled on far-right groups in Europe that target mosques and the Islamic community in order to promote racism and far-right policies.
Reclaim Australia is focusing on opposing the construction of a mosque in Melton.
Reclaim Australia has been outnumbered by anti-racists at the two previous rallies it held in the Melbourne CBD. The timing and move is designed to make it harder for anti-racist
groups to respond.
Melton is a relatively poor community and was listed by the Age as being the only place many women could afford to rent after escaping domestic violence.
Melton has recently lost its university campus as a result of savage cuts to TAFE funding by the Dennis Napthine Liberal government. The Daniel Andrews Labor government has not fully restored TAFE funding and many campuses are struggling to survive.
Reclaim Australia is attempting to use the genuine pain caused by funding cuts to promote its racist agenda.
Socialist Alliance Moreland City Councillor Sue Bolton said: "We need to confront racism wherever it emerges and mobilise as many people as possible. We also need to reject the attempts of Liberal and Labor to force marginalised communities to fight over funding for essential services. The Andrews government must immediately restore TAFE funding in full."
[The Rally Against Racism in Melton will be held at 10am on November 22 at Melton City Council, 232 High St, Melton.]
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