Tuesday, 16 May 2023

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (14:08): There were more disturbing scenes on the steps of the Parliament over the weekend, with neo-Nazis once again voicing their hate-filled views, and while I really do not want to give them the attention that they so desperately crave, intolerance and bigotry cannot go unanswered – not in Victoria, not anywhere. While the hatred and intolerance are targeted at the trans community and rainbow families, history tells us that it will not stop there. Once they threaten and intimidate one group into silence, these neo-Nazis will move on to the next – from the trans community to migrant groups and to religious communities. We have seen it all before. History also tells us the best way we can respond is by standing with those who are being targeted, by showing them our support, with solidarity and by using our collective voice to say, ‘We stand with you.’ So to the drag queens who just want to read a story: we stand with you. To the rainbow families who love their children: we stand with you. To the librarians doing their job: we stand with you. But to the hate groups who marshal on our front steps – and frankly with apologies to Woody Guthrie – our message is clear: you may be surprised. People in this state are getting organised, and you are bound to lose. You fascists are bound to lose.