The Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned a racist attack by a woman at a Telstra story in Sydney who abused staff, telling one employee “to go back to China” and “You have been served your eviction notice with your whole family.”
According to news reports, the woman’s bigoted rant continued as she walked outside, telling another employee “My family is going to make sure this shop is shut down immediately… And you are too, India.”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said:
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms this hate-fuelled attack, and our hearts go out to the Telstra staff targeted for abuse.
This type of vilification tarnishes all Australians. I am increasingly concerned about the rising tide of intolerance that may permeate our cities as this virus intensifies. We are better as a nation than such bigoted stereotypes, slurs and smears. In addition to those individuals directly targeted, such troubling attacks deeply affect the entire community and leave them feel vulnerable.
Australians of all faiths, nationalities, and ethnicities should feel safe on our doing their job without the fear of being singled out for attack because of their religion, appearance, or background.
We all have a stake in ensuring that such ugly expressions never find a home in Australia, and this episode is a sad reminder that prejudice remains a force in our community and that it must be fought. The best way to combat such racism is for us all to stand as one when the values of respect and peaceful co-existence, a source of our country’s strength, are undermined by such distressing acts.”