Media Conference - Today
10.30am Thursday 28 August
Victorian Trades Hall
Meet the people disrupting the
extremist World Congress of Families
The Christian fundamentalist “World Congress of Families” will meet at a secret location on Saturday 30 August. Registrants have reportedly been told to they will be advised of the venue by phone on Friday night. It is likely they will be bussed from a city location to the undisclosed site.
At least four venues are known to have cancelled bookings leaving organisers scrambling. Fox News host and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee and 80 other ultra-conservatives – mostly from the US - have signed a letter accusing“sexual radicals” of smearing the event.
An alliance of feminists, LGBTQI activists, unionists, refugee and anti-racist activists, and atheist and religious people against bigotry is causing chaos for conference organiser Babette Francis of the Endeavour Foundation (formerly Women who Want to be Women) by infiltrating the Congress and organising a disruptive “Unwelcome Ceremony” at 8am Equal Love Demonstration at 11am and family-friendly “Block Party against Hate” at 1.30pm wherever the Congress attempts to meet.
Protest representatives will speak to the media on 28 August to explain why they oppose the WCF and their plans for a disruptive Day of Action on August 30.
Kerrie Davies (Council of Single Mothers and their Children)
Gaye Demanuele (Reproductive Justice Activist, Radical Women)
First Nations spokesperson (TBA)
Louise O’Shea (Equal Love)
Mohammad Ali Baqiri (Former child refugee from Afghanistan detained on Nauru, Refugee Rights Activist)
Marisa Sposaro (Disability rights and prison activist)
Naomi Farmer (National Union of Students)
Anonymous (Public sector worker and unionist)
Several state and federal politicians are scheduled to speak at the congress. The Federal Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews will try to give the opening address. Victorian Attorney General Robert Clark will try to welcome delegates to Victoria. Victorian MLC Bernie Finn, South Australian Federal Senator Cory Bernardi and others will attempt to attend in support.
“Unwelcome” organiser Debbie Brennan said the multitude of actions against the World Congress of Families shows the depth and strength of community opposition to the rise of extreme right-wing Christian fundamentalism in Australian politics.
“This Congress is not just a harmless talkshop about ‘ideas’,” Brennan said. “With Andrews and Clark and all the other politicians who want to attend it is clearly about shaping government policy and law including laws against equal marriage and reproductive choice; a budget that hits the poor – and especially women and First Nations people; “work for the dole” and “income management”; the racist NT Intervention, closure of women’s refuges and legal services, and the racist, inhumane treatment of refugees.
“The purpose of the Congress is clear: to strengthen the influence of the far right in Australian government. This means a world of hurt for ordinary people and our families and we will not just stand by and let it happen.”
Media Conference
Thursday 28 August, 10.30am
Victorian Trades Hall
Cnr Victoria and Lygon Streets, Carlton
Room 1 (enter from Victoria St)
Contacts
Debbie Brennan: 0425 733 256
Gaye Demanuele: 0414 580 851
Day of Action Against the WCF
Saturday 30 August from 8am
Aurora Receptions, 149 Donald St, Brunswick East
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