The City of Greater Bendigo has prepared this statement in support of our whole community, some of whom have recently experienced terrible racism related to COVID-19.
This statement seeks to remind all residents who are the target of racism and abuse to report their experience to Victoria Police.
This statement has also been translated into Dinka, Dari and Karen languages and the Mayor has recorded videos for these communities, with the support of Bendigo Community Health Services bi-lingual staff.
A STATEMENT FROM MAYOR CR MARGARET O'ROURKE
We are living in an extraordinary time.
Reflecting on the year so far, it has been an incredibly challenging one for our community but we will get through this because we are a strong community and we are in it together.
The City recently launched the Love Your Local campaign to remind us of why we love where we live and to safely reconnect us with our community.
The campaign encourages us to stick together and support one another.
Although there are many positive examples of how residents have supported each other through these challenging times, the recent reports of racism and abuse directed toward our Karen and other Asian-Australian residents are deeply disappointing and unacceptable.
This behaviour is unfounded and unfair. It is not who we are and it is not who we want to be. We are a welcoming, inclusive and safe community that celebrates our growing diversity.
I encourage anyone affected by this or any other type of racism to report it to Victoria Police.
We all have a role in preventing racism and reporting it if it occurs. Recent international protests around racial inequality are a strong reminder about the importance of this and the impact inequality continues to have around the world.
Our vision is for Greater Bendigo to be the world's most liveable community. That vision and the commitment to equity and respect as outlined in our Humans Rights Charter, means we wholeheartedly reject racism and discrimination of any sort.
There is no room for racism or discrimination here.
