A national “March for Australia” has divided the opinion among migrants, where some say they feel the target, while others have defended the right to freedom of expression.
The “Marsen against mass migration” are planned for Sunday, with plans for events in large cities throughout the country.
The organizers of De Marsen are linked to white nationalism, making some members of the community “overwhelmed” and “worried” about the target.
One of them is Chole Jiang, who has been living in Melbourne for 10 years and works as a nurse.
The “March for Australia” takes place on Sunday in Melbourne’s CBD, as well as in other cities throughout the country. ((ABC News: Erwin Renaldi))
“I feel a bit overwhelmed, I can’t imagine that there are so many people against immigrants,” she said the ABC.
She said she often felt worried about getting to Melbourne’s CBD recently, for fear that she would be harassed because of her Chinese background.
Mrs. Jiang said that on social media she saw a “warning” that people who are involved in the rally on Sunday can express anger to migrants.
“We are here to work, and we live just like any normal person … [so] It is not necessary to be this racist against migrating employees, “she said.
Flyers for the Mars have since appeared on the Mars for Australia Social Media accounts.
‘This nation is built on immigration’
The ABC also spoke with some in the international student community, who blamed by some politicians for rising rents despite studies that do not demonstrate such a link.
The federal government announced a limit last year for the intake of international students, but at the beginning of this month said that the limit would rise by 9 percent next year to 295,000, with a focus on Southeast Asian students.
Mihir Kuvadiya, who has been living as a student in Melbourne for more than two years, said the ABC that he had never experienced racism.
Mihir Kuvadiya is not so worried about the planned rallies. ((ABC News: Erwin Renaldi))
“I found out that people here are really fun,” said the Indian student.
Mr. Kuvadiya sometimes said, when people “have a really bad day” and others badly treat it, it can be mistaken for racism.
He said that such behavior was “common” everywhere.
Mr. Kuvadiya said that one of his friends had informed him of this weekend’s marches.
“I’m not worried about the rally because this nation is built on immigration,”
he said.
“If you are legal here, if you pay taxes, I don’t think someone can get you out of this place because you are contributing something to the economy.”
Other international students, who did not want to be identified for this story, said they were not surprised about the planned rallies because people had become “more brave and aggressive” in their actions “when we do nothing to stop”.
Community groups who send advice
The ABC has seen on social media reports of culturally various community groups who warn their members to “stay inside” on Sunday to prevent meetings with right-wing demonstrators.
“We recommend that you do not travel to the city … unless it is essential to prevent unwanted incidents,” read a message that is circulating on WhatsApp.
Solene Michel arrived in Australia a week ago on a work and holiday visa that offers opportunities for young people to have a work experience in the country.
Solene Michel says that she is planning to stay at home on Sunday because she is not sure if she would feel safe in the city. ((ABC News: Erwin Renaldi))
She said she read about the rally on social media and was planning to stay at home on Sunday.
Mrs. Michel said she understood that “racism is everywhere”, but she wanted to be careful with Sunday March.
“My friend told me about how racism is in Melbourne and in Australia in general, and so she just told me to stay at home,” she said.
“I knew that I would not feel safe … But also European, I am a bit used to people not really happy with immigration,” the Belgian said.
In the meantime, Francis, who did not want to share her last name, said that everyone had the right to attend the rallies and express their opinion.
Francis, who came from Hong Kong to Australia when she was eight years old, said she had never experienced racism.
“I don’t have many Asian friends, I grew up here … and my friend Circle through my life has been white people.”
She said that in general she did not see migration as a problem, but was worried about ‘overcrowded migrants’ who only hung around with those with a similar racial background.
“I think those who actually make people uncomfortable and upset are people who don’t want to integrate,” she said.
“They all have their little caves of friends, and they don’t really leave that.
“I have no problems with immigration as long as they integrate … instead of just holding it [onto] What they had. “
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