Council reinforces everyone is welcome in Maribyrnong
Published on 22 March 2022
The Maribyrnong City Council has begun installing signage proclaiming ‘racism is not welcome’ in its City – reinforcing a commitment to fostering and promoting a sense of belonging amongst its diverse community.
Street signs will appear outside Council buildings and at open spaces across the municipality, including the likes of the Footscray Library, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and Footscray Park; and footpath decals on walkways throughout each of the key business districts. At the suggestion of a community member, stickers will also be available for residents to place on letterboxes, if they wish.
The roll-out coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Monday 21 March and followed Council’s endorsement last year of the #RACISMNOTWELCOME campaign, that was initiated in Sydney.
The Council, the first in Victoria to endorse the campaign, has a publicly stated position to ‘reduce racism’ and address diversity related prejudices that lay the foundations of discriminatory and racist attitudes within its community.
The majority of residents who responded to a survey last August, to test the community appetite for the signage, not only supported the message but also asked that it be translated into key community languages recognising the diversity of the local community, which is one of the most diverse in Victoria.
Residents who want to, can collect their free letterbox sticker from Council libraries, community centres and Footscray Town Hall. Please contact your local facility for more information.
Message from the Mayor, Cr Anthony Tran
I personally want to live in a community where tolerance and respect are valued and differences are celebrated. This campaign reinforces Council’s commitment to fostering and promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion in our community that highlights the advantages of diversity by encouraging residents to recognise and call out racism.
I look forward to the roll out of the street signs and decals. Help us launch this campaign throughout our city by placing the #racismNOTwelcome stickers on your letterboxes.
Image captions left to right: English street sign near Footscray Library; Vietnamese street sign near Footscray Library; Cr Crawford, Mayor, Cr Anthony Tran and Cr Jorquera at the #RACISMNOTWELCOME launch event at Footscray Library.
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