Anti-racist street signs divide Sydney’s Cumberland region: #racismNOTwelcome

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Placing an ‘awakened’ anti-racism street sign at a war memorial in Sydney has been called ‘disrespectful’, insidious and ‘un-Australian’ by outraged locals.

Cumberland Council in Sydney’s west has put up 50 bright red ‘street signs’ reading ‘#racismNOTwelcome’ as part of a citywide social media campaign to promote inclusion.

But it’s one near the Anzac Memorial Wall in the local park that becomes the center of a bitter row.

Independent councilor Steve Christou says the signs in the ethically diverse area where 70 percent of residents speak a language other than English dishonor the memory of fallen Diggers.

The #racismNOTwelcome street signs divide residents in the western part of Sydney in Cumberland

The #racismNOTwelcome street signs divide residents in the western part of Sydney in Cumberland

He called the sign at the war memorial “treacherous disrespect and frankly unAustralian.”

Retired war veteran and Bundjalung man Dave Williams agrees.

‘Make your protest – great! But do it somewhere else,” he said A current matter.

“Do it right and come say G’day and introduce yourself instead of sticking a sign on someone else’s property and saying ‘we’re doing our part’.”

“It’s just so disrespectful.

It shouldn’t be there, they make a point with this park and what its park represents. Move it.

Three other councilors, along with Mr. Christou, have called for the sign to be removed.

Cumberland councilor Stever Christou calls the #racismNOTwelcome sign at the war memorial 'treacherous' and 'un-Australian'

Cumberland councilor Stever Christou calls the #racismNOTwelcome sign at the war memorial 'treacherous' and 'un-Australian'

Cumberland councilor Stever Christou calls the #racismNOTwelcome sign at the war memorial ‘treacherous’ and ‘un-Australian’

A proposal to that effect will be discussed at the next council meeting.

Cllr Christou wants all the #racismNOTwelcome signs, which reportedly cost $5,000 to set up the municipality, “in the trash.”

“There shouldn’t be a place for them anywhere,” he said.

‘If you want to eradicate racism, start education campaigns somewhere.

“Residents are afraid it will devalue their house prices because in the streets there is a perception that they are around people (looking at them) and thinking there might be racism on this street.

‘Those people say ‘I don’t buy here’.

Veteran and Bundjalung man Dave Williams strongly opposes the #racismNOTwelcome sign being placed at a war memorial

Veteran and Bundjalung man Dave Williams strongly opposes the #racismNOTwelcome sign being placed at a war memorial

Veteran and Bundjalung man Dave Williams strongly opposes the #racismNOTwelcome sign being placed at a war memorial

Channel Nine approached locals to broaden sentiment about the signs.

One woman questioned their necessity and mocked their effectiveness.

“Why was that necessary?” she said.

‘Where I live it won’t be necessary.

“You read a sign and you say ‘OK, I won’t be racist’?

‘It does not work. It’s not effective.’

However, some of the local residents interviewed said they thought the signs were ‘necessary’ and had ‘a good message’.

The bright red street signs appeared on lampposts in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs, including Paddington (pictured), Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Double Bay

The bright red street signs appeared on lampposts in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs, including Paddington (pictured), Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Double Bay

The bright red street signs appeared on lampposts in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs, including Paddington (pictured), Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Double Bay

Cumberland Labor Mayor Lisa Lake has declined to be interviewed about the signals, but has released a statement.

“We strive to embrace all nationalities, cultures and religions and provide a supportive and inclusive community for all,” said Ms. Lake.

Cumberland is one of the most multicultural communities in Sydney and we strive to embrace all nationalities, cultures and religions and provide a supportive and inclusive community for all.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster (pictured) is one of the lead activists for the campaign

Former Socceroo Craig Foster (pictured) is one of the lead activists for the campaign

Former Socceroo Craig Foster (pictured) is one of the lead activists for the campaign

“The Racism Not Welcome campaign reflects these values.”

Cumberland is a highly ethically diverse area with official statistics showing that 70 percent of residents speak a language other than English.

In Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs, the rollout of the #racismNOTwelcome signs by Woollahra Council was met with hostility in some quarters.

Liberal politicians demanded that the signs, which appeared in Paddington, Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Double Bay, be taken down.

The resistance saw a motion previously presented to the council that said: “Locals say the signs create a false impression that the residents of Woollahra are racists, when no evidence to that effect has been presented.”

Former Socceroo Craig Foster is one of the leading activists behind the #racismNOT welcome campaign launched last year.