TRANSCRIPT
Natalie Ahmat: Scenes of racism and hatred were spread across Australian media on the weekend as anti- and pro-Islamic groups clashed at rallies around the country. But there was concern among some Muslim and Aboriginal groups that police were favouring anti-Islamic groups.
NITV News Danny Teece-Johnson reports.
Danny Teece-Johnson: Ugly scenes of nationalism and racism were beamed around the world from the mouth of the lucky country once again, adding to our growing international reputation as a racist nation.
Protestor: Are you Indigenous? Then you came here by boat just like everyone else.
In Sydney, police outnumbered the opposing groups leading pro-Muslim demonstrators, many of whom are Aboriginal, to question police tactics.
For many anti-racism protestors the police appeared to target them more than Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front.
Ken Canning, activist: If we as Aboriginal people can learn how to live with people and embrace other cultures, I don't know why you can't. It's only because of your simple minded fear.
If we as Aboriginal people can learn how to live with people and embrace other cultures, I don't know why you can't. It's only because of your simple minded fear
Shaymma Abdullah, Aboriginal-Muslim advocate: The feeling was, it was very intimidating having so many people on force. I mean it wasn't needed. I believe that...the way that they conducted it was a little bit overboard, you know, to me it appeared like there were more police present where we were than where the Reclaim Australia rally was being held.
Danny Teece-Johnson: Accusations of police harassment and racial profiling were raised after a video of a police officer questioning a Muslim lady who just got out of a vehicle, went viral.
According to her friend and witness, Shaymma Abdullah, as soon as her friend got out of the car, she was followed by five police officers because she was wearing a niqab.
Shaymaa Abdullah: Why did they have to come? It was because she was wearing the niqab. You know, they did request that she expose her face publicly.
Danny Teece-Johnson: But Muslim and Aboriginal groups say it's not until the mainstream media reports properly and fairly on Muslim Australia that we might see a change in attitudes.
Shaymma Abdullah: I believe that Islam is not the problem, I believe the media is. The media is a big problem in society these days.
Danny Teece-Johnson, wondering why we just can’t all get along, for NITV News.
