NOVOCASTRIANS will come together on the weekend to show their opposition to racism, hate and bigotry by celebrating the city’s rich cultural diversity.
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The Newcastle: Unity in Diversity event planned for Saturday was born after about 30 members of the community came together to respond to the Reclaim Australia movement.
Group member Phillipa Parsons said the team joined with the Refugee Action Network Newcastle to plan the day, which will include a walk at 11am from Newcastle Museum to Civic Park.
‘‘We want to shout loud and clear that everyone is welcome in our town,’’ Ms Parsons said.
‘‘This is an opportunity to celebrate and demonstrate that not everyone shares the racist and bigoted views expressed by some.
‘‘It’s a chance for people to stand up and be counted, for a fair, kind and just community – an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate all the beauty and diversity of Newcastle.’’
The event will include speeches from Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes; Sheikh Mohammed Khamis from Newcastle Mosque; Father Rod Bower from Gosford Anglican Church; a representative from Newcastle Hebrew Congregation; a representative from the Atheist and Skeptic Society and members of the Hunter’s African community.
Vice-President of the Newcastle Muslim Association Diana Rah said members of the city’s Muslim community were already heavily involved with the community and events across the Hunter.
‘‘We’re Novocastrians too,’’ she said.
‘‘This is an event to celebrate diversity, not to fear it, to show it is something to be valued.
‘‘Unity and harmony in the future is the only way forward for the city.’’
Community development officer with STARTTS Jo McGregor said the overwhelmingly positive reaction had evoked memories of the city’s Cultural Stomp festival, which began as an alternative community response to the policy launch of the One Nation Party in 1997.
‘‘We want to show that we value what people from different cultures bring to Newcastle – and that we value the friendships built from them coming and contributing so positively to our city.’’
■ Those who would like to participate are invited to meet at 11am on Saturday at Newcastle Museum to walk to Civic Park, where an Awabakal smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country will open a family festival including multi-cultural food and coffee stalls, live music, dancing, hair braiding, face painting, henna and more. https://www.facebook.com/events/804117496304858/.
