Western Australia's only independent senator, Fatima Payman, is reaching out to Australia's enormous number of English-born immigrants, as anti-immigration protesters take to the streets of Perth and other Australian cities.
It's an attempt, by the Senator, to reassure them that they are welcome in this country, and that they shouldn't be afraid.
"Almost a million Australians, or 3.6 per cent, were born in England, and they mustn't be forgotten on this sad day, when intimidation and hatred are being openly displayed in our communities," Senator Payman said.
"Immigrants play an enormous part in our national economic well being, and our cultural richness," she said.
"Don't let the anti-immigration rallies scare you."
Senator Payman is pointing out, however, that citizens have the right to peacefully protest.
"I might disagree strongly with these people, but in our country they have the right to air their grievances and to do that in a peaceful way," Senator Payman said.
"I've lived with displays of hatred all of my life, but I'm undaunted and unafraid, and I encourage all English-born Australians to adopt the same approach."
"Don't give them the satisfaction of triggering any response," she said.
"And you have the support of all the other wonderful diverse Australian communities that bless us and who are also troubled today by these nasty people."
Senator Payman is
