At a historic meeting, Mayor Zoë Baker has signed a joint statement with more than 20 mayors from across Sydney calling out violence and extremism.
The mayors, representing diverse communities from across Sydney, met this morning at Bondi Pavilion to find ways to foster social cohesion and fight racism.
They signed the following joint statement urging the State and Federal Governments to take action to prevent increasing acts of aggression:
We, the Mayors of the following Councils, are united in calling out violence, hatred, and extremism. Our communities are welcoming and connected and made stronger by our diverse views, faiths, backgrounds, cultures and identities. The acts of hate and violence seen across Sydney must be condemned in the strongest terms, while these brazen and cowardly acts require prosecution with the full force of the law.
These criminal acts aim to create fear, chaos and division. We call on our communities to stand together, as we are standing together, to support one another during these challenging times. We unequivocally condemn the alarming rise in antisemitic attacks as well acknowledge the broader escalation of racism and violence against racial and faith-based communities including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists. There is no place for hate in our society.
Sydney is a vibrant and proudly multicultural and multifaith city. Its diverse population is reflected right across the city, creating an inclusive community of which we are proud. Every layer of government and every person in our community has a role to play in maintaining our peaceful harmonious community in Sydney. Local government plays a crucial role in fostering this inclusivity among multicultural communities, where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. We strongly state that local government is for local issues, and that foreign affairs is not the remit or expertise of Councils.
We are committed to being champions of social cohesion and using our leadership and knowledge to combat racism and promote community safety. Our communities deserve to live free from fear and hatred and we will work together to uphold these values and advocate for the support needed to achieve them.
Today, we call on the New South Wales and Federal Governments to take urgent action by:
- Recognising Local Government as a vital tier of Government in creating and maintaining social cohesion;
- Partnering with Councils to combat the scourge of antisemitism, and protect all communities from vilification, intimidation, and violence;
- Investing in multicultural and interfaith education programs to strengthen understanding and unity between communities;
- Enhancing legislation to combat hate crimes and discrimination and ensure stronger protections for all;
- Supporting Local Government to develop anti-racism, inclusion and social cohesion strategies and policies; and
- Providing security infrastructure and resources where needed to safeguard at-risk communities including robust and effective policing, to find and charge perpetrators of hate crimes.
We will continue to collaborate as elected representatives to advocate for our communities, share best practices, coordinate and promote initiatives, activities and community safety. We intend to formalise this work through strategic frameworks. Our goal is to create a stronger, safer and more united society where everyone feels respected and valued.
Jointly signed by:
Will Nemesh, Mayor, Waverley Council
Ned Mannoun, Mayor, Liverpool Council
Darcy Byrne, Mayor, Inner West Council
Zoë Baker, Mayor, North Sydney Council
Elise Borg, Mayor, Georges River Council
Jack Boyd, Mayor, Sutherland Shire Council
Trenton Brown, Mayor, City of Ryde
John-Paul Baladi,Mayor, Strathfield Council
Sarah Swan, Mayor, Woollahra Council
Dr. Michelle Byrne, Mayor, The Hills Shire Council
Brad Bunting, Mayor, Blacktown City Council
Ann Marie Kimber, Mayor, Mosman Council
Edward McDougall, Mayor, Bayside Council
Michael Megna, Mayor, Canada Bay Council
Zac Miles, Mayor, Hunters Hill Council
Dylan Parker, Mayor, Randwick Council
Sue Heins, Mayor, Northern Beaches Council
Tanya Taylor, Mayor, Willoughby
Warren Waddell, Mayor, Hornsby Shire Council
Martin Zaiter, Lord Mayor, City of Parramatta
Christine Kay, Mayor, Ku-ring-gai Council