ABOUT 60 people gathered outside Newcastle Museum on Sunday and walked to Civic Park, to protest what they said is mounting prejudice in Australia against asylum seekers and refugees.
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The “Walk Together” rally was part of a national day of inter-faith demonstration, and some in Civic Park held placards reading “Refugees and asylum seekers welcome” and “Keep calm and welcome refugees”.
Anglican priest Rod Bower, whose Gosford church has made headlines for its socially progressive messageboard, told those gathered that opponents of multiculturalism didn’t speak for Australia.
“There’s a lie being told in our nation today, that refugees and immigrants threaten our Australian way of life,” Fr Bower said.
The priest said such critics’ idea of the Australian way was limited to “beer, bacon on hamburgers and the availability of the Australian flag to wear as a garment”.
The rally also heard from Catholic, Uniting and Muslim representatives.
