South Australia's premier Jay Weatherill has committed his state to the ‘racism, it stops with me’ strategy which encourages all Australians to stand against racism.
"We know of course what it means for people, it does rob them of their dignity. It hurts people and basically it's a justice that must be remedied,” said Mr Weatherill.
Related: Commission reveals spike in racism reports
Professor Roger Thomas from the University of Adelaide, says racism is particularly prominent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities according to recent racism statistics.
"75 per cent of Aboriginal people experience racism in their everyday lives, 75 per cent, I would say it's much higher than that because there's lots of incidents that never get reported,” said Mr Thomas.
200 organisations and 1000 individuals have pledged their support for the campaign at a time when racism is surging.
"I can let you know that during the past 12 months the Australian Human Rights Commission has received a 59 per cent increase in the number of racial vilification complaints," said human rights commissioner Tim Soutphommasane,
It's hoped South Australia will encourage other states and territories to stand up against racial discrimination.
