Sofia Kotanidis: Darebin Labor candidate’s racist Facebook posts unearthed
A Darebin Council hopeful’s racist past has been unearthed on social media. One post she shared said: “Islamists want bacon banned because it offends them, I say ban Islamists because it offends my bacon.”
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A Darebin Council candidate has come under fire from rival candidates accusing her of sharing racist Facebook posts on her page in 2018 and 2017.
Sofia Kotanidis is the Labor candidate running in Darebin’s council election for the north west ward, but fellow candidates from the Victorian Socialists have called out Ms Kotanidis’ anti-halal and anti-isalmist posts.
One post Ms Kotanidis shared said: “Islamists want bacon banned because it offends them, I say ban Islamists because it offends my bacon.”
Adam Bottomley, a Victorian Socialists candidate for the north west ward said it was a shame Labor had chosen someone with her record to represent them in the election.
“Our community’s diversity is part of its strength, and is one reason why Darebin is such a sought after place to live,” Mr Bottomley said.
“Migrants helped build our society into what it is today, and in the context of a resurgence of far-right extremism around the world, we should all commit ourselves to opposing racism wherever it rears its head.”
Roz Ward, who co-founded Safe Schools and is a Victorian Socialists candidate for the south central ward, said it was a shame but not surprising someone with those views could end up as a Labor Party candidate for Darebin council.
“I’ve fought all my life against discrimination suffered by the LGBTIQ community in particular, and I’ll stand side-by-side with anyone standing up to oppression — wherever that may be,” Ms Ward said.
“Sharing racist memes on Facebook might seem harmless, but we know that this kind of online hate can have real world consequences.
“It’s not acceptable and it’s not appropriate for someone with these views to represent such a diverse community.”
However, Ms Kotanidis said after reflecting on the posts she deleted them but recently discovered they hadn’t been properly taken down.
“I wanted to address these posts that are being circulated. I do recall re-posting those articles on my personal Facebook page over Two-and-a-half years ago,” she said.
“I have discovered recently that were not deleted properly, so I have sought assistance to delete them now.
“We all make mistakes; I regret my actions over Two-and-a-half years ago.”
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Ms Kotanidis said the posts didn’t reflect her views or actions she has taken during her time supporting diverse multicultural communities.
“I have been involved with Darebin Ethic Communities Council (DECC) for over 20 years,” she said.
“I have advocated for Darebin’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities and I have earned their trust and respect.
“I am happy to be judged on my actions rather than something I posted more than Two-and-a-half years ago which I deleted.”