Stand Against Vilification: Legal Action for Justice

The Alliance Against Islamophobia is seeking your support to stand up against vilification, hate speech, and religious intolerance in Australia.

We are launching this GoFundMe campaign to cover the legal costs of filing a vilification complaint against Hon. Peter Dutton MP at the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.

The Issue:

Between 4th July 2024 and 5th July 2024, Hon. Peter Dutton MP made public statements that have incited fear, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and fostered misunderstanding about the Australian Muslim community.

Specific Examples of Vilification:

Hon. Peter Dutton MP’s Statements:

4th July 2024 (ABC Interview):

"If the government were returned in a minority, it would include the Greens, it'll include green teals, it'll include Muslim candidates from western Sydney, it will be a disaster."

This statement explicitly singles out, dehumanises, and vilifies Muslim candidates based on their religious beliefs, suggesting their inclusion in government would be detrimental to Australian society.

This statement has had 1 million views so far.

Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja publicly accused Mr. Dutton of "fuelling Islamophobia," condemning the opposition leader’s remarks as "bigotry at its finest."

5th July 2024 (Guardian Response):

"My problem is not with somebody of Islamic faith – quite the opposite – not with somebody of Jewish faith. But when you say that your task is to, as a first order of priority, to support a Palestinian cause or a cause outside of Australia, that is a very different scenario."

Mr. Dutton again misrepresented the solidarity of the Muslim community against the plausible genocide being perpetrated on the Palestinian people, sought to dehumanise them, and reinforced the harmful narrative that Muslim Australians have foreign allegiances, prioritise foreign interests over Australian ones, and are detrimental to Australian society.

Why We Need Your Support:

As the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Dutton’s dehumanising remarks have profoundly impacted the Muslim community, fostering an atmosphere of distrust and prejudice.

These comments have discouraged Muslim Australians from participating in political and civic activities due to fear of vilification or discrimination.

How will your contribution be used :

Your contributions will support the legal costs required to file and pursue a vilification complaint against Hon. Peter Dutton MP at the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.

This will include the costs of our legal team to liaise with the authority, including further submissions and appear at Conciliation.

Why is this legal action important:

This legal action is vital to uphold the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and social cohesion that are the foundation of Australian society.

For the Muslim community, it is especially crucial as it addresses the severe contempt, ridicule, discrimination, marginalisation, and fears for safety and security that have escalated due to increasing anti-Muslim hate speech.

By challenging these harmful narratives and actions, we aim to protect our community from further vilification and ensure a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

The Islamophobia Register of Australia has reported a 1300% increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents since the advent of the Gaza Conflict, underscoring the urgent need for action.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Any amount you can contribute will make a significant difference.

Share: Please share this campaign with your network to raise awareness and gather support.

Support: Stand with us in solidarity against hate speech and vilification.

Together, we can ensure that our society remains inclusive, respectful, and just for all.

Thank you for your support.

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