Where’s the love gone?

The Golden Mile has turned into the Bloody Mile. I now feel safer holding my partner’s hand in Bankstown than on or around Oxford St. And to make matters worse the police suspect the culprits of the Craig Gee beating were members of another minority community that has been the subject of victimisation.

What has happened to this great city?

I can’t give you the answers but I can say I am going to the vigil on 26 January so I can show my support for our community and stand up to the aggressive members of the greater community and say I do not accept this. I will not lie down and watch my brothers and sisters be beaten within an inch of their lives and go about my business as though it has nothing to do with me. It has got everything to do with me. And you. Not to mention most of the people whom I love more than life itself. Oxford St is historically linked to our community and we will not be pushed around in our own backyard.

Vigils and protests are among the things we do best. So make sure you make some posters, tee-shirts or banners and turn up and be heard. The police need to step up and they will not do this unless we turn up in large numbers.

The police of Sydney have a history against our community – but enough is enough. They arrested those brave enough to get out of the bars and onto the street. They turned their backs on those of the force who were brave enough to be the first to participate in our parade. Even over the last few years their presence at our events has been laughable.

It is time for them to once again be accountable for their attitude and ineffectiveness in protecting us. For we, just like everyone else, demand the right to be able to walk down the street without discrimination and fear.

There have been too many cases of people within our community going missing, of suspected murders and violence that have been swept under the rug. We need to bring this to everyone’s attention.

The beating of Craig Gee is our final straw. Let’s get off our backsides and work together to gain what most people take for granted. It is time to snatch back our standing in this world and show not only the small-minded bullies and prejudiced aggressors but also the police that we have every right to live, love and have a voice.