Hateful messages targeting federal MP scrawled across Geelong city centre
Police investigate hate graffiti targeting Australia’s first Muslim MP that appeared in Geelong’s CBD after the Bondi attacks.
Police are investigating a string of politically charged graffiti which appeared in the Geelong CBD following the horrifying Bondi attacks.
A slew of messages were strewn across buildings at the intersection of Moorabool and Little Malop streets on Sunday evening hours after the massacre, and were visible on Monday morning.
The messages were first found just after midnight by police officers on a regular patrol.
Written on the wall of a construction site on the corner of the two streets were notes such as “pro-palli murderers,” “death to Hamas,” and “deport Ed Husic”.
Mr Husic, the Labor MP for Chifley, was the first Muslim to be elected to federal parliament.
Offensive graffiti could also be seen on the exterior of Market Square underneath a tribute to 17-year-old JJ Hutchinson, who died in a car crash in Geelong’s north earlier this month.
Their investigation into the perpetrators remains on going.
“There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based symbols and behaviour,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
While the graffiti was on private property and not the responsibility of council, the City of Greater Geelong paid for contractors to remove it due to the sensitive nature of what was written.
A total of 15 victims have been confirmed dead and at least 38 more were injured following a terrorist shooting at a Jewish gathering at Bondi beach on Sunday evening, the first night of Hanukkah.
One of the shooters was also killed in the terrorist attack.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
william.keech@news.com.au
Originally published as Hateful messages targeting federal MP scrawled across Geelong city centre
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