Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Anti-violence Vindaloo initiative sends a powerful message
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, said that today’s Vindaloo Against Violence day sends an important symbolic message to the wider Australian community, and to the world, that the people of Melbourne and Australia do not support or condone violence against Indian people in any way.
“Symbolism is an important way to show community solidarity on an issue and this initiative is a fine way to actively illustrate that the Melbourne community abhors the violence perpetrated against Indian people in their city by small pockets of racist people,” Commissioner Innes said.
Commissioner Innes said that such initiatives were also important because they reinforce to the people who are targets of racially-motivated violence that the actions taken by the perpetrators are the actions of a minority whose views are not shared by the vast majority of the community.
Commissioner Innes urged as many people around the country as possible to go out for curry today and tonight in support of the Indian people of Melbourne and Vindaloo Against Violence.
Media contacts: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
