Danielle Harris invites you to join a Brisbane rally in support of freedom:
The Socialist Alliance (SA), along with their allies in other extremist movements, have organised a march on Max Brenner at 1pm, 27th of August, 2011.
In response, we have organised a counter protest:
Date: Saturday 27th of August 2011
Time: 1pm
Where: Outside Max Brenner, Southbank, Brisbane
After witnessing the disgusting attacks against Max Brenner in both Sydney and Melbourne, these thugs are marching in Brisbane. We as mainstream Australians cannot tolerate this.
They blockaded entrances to the business.
They physically intimidated customers and staff.
They were abusive.
They were violent.
This unacceptable behaviour will not go unchallenged in Brisbane.
The SA is meeting at Merivale Street at 1pm and marching on Max Brenner from there. We will be there with signs of support for Max Brenner when they arrive.
This counter-protest is not about Israeli government policy. This counter-protest is to defend the right of business owners to operate without being subjected to blockade, abuse and racial vilification.
Max Brenner began in Israel, and has expanded into Australia, America, Singapore and the Philippines where the chain has been very successful. It is offensive and reminiscent of the 1930’s that a private business should come under attack because of either the origin of the business itself or the origin of the business’ owners.
In a liberal democracy like Australia where freedom of religion, freedom of association and free enterprise is embraced, it is very disturbing to me to consistently see the prejudiced and violent behaviour of groups like the Socialist Alliance.
To aggressively protest and blockade entrance to a private business because of it's Israeli origin and association is intolerant and unacceptable.
This is not a counter-protest based on the pros and cons of the Israeli State. Many people who are sympathetic with Palestine but are disturbed by the Socialist Alternative and the likes of Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon will be out to say no to bigotry and support free enterprise in this country.
If any individual wishes to make the choice to boycott a business, that it is their individual prerogative but to use force to engage in aggressive behaviour to intimidate others into making that same decision is completely immoral.
University students have long had to tolerate the aggressive abuses of the Socialist Alternative on campuses. I will stand up against hatred and intolerance any day of the week and I invite others who feel the same to stand with me. This is a peaceful counter-protest in which no violence will be tolerated. I cannot control the conduct of the Socialist Alliance. I can insist that peaceful non-violent protest is the context to which this event has been made and will continue.
Danielle Harris is a student at the University of Queensland, and is the National Campus Action Plan Director for the Conservative Leadership Foundation (although this is an independent event and is not affiliated with the CLF)
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