Cumberland Council votes to remove anti-racism signs

A final call has been made on anti-racism signs in Sydney’s west – labelled as “tokenistic’’ and “woke” by critics but “inclusive” by supporters. Here’s the latest.

An anti-racism sign Cumberland Council has erected at Bridge St Lidcombe.

Cumberland Council’s 50 anti-racism signs will be removed after councillors labelled it tokenistic and superficial, saying the business community was against the bright red “values on telegraph poles”.

Councillors Paul Garrard and Helen Hughes’ motion to remove the signs across the community was supported at the Wednesday night meeting, three years after installation of the signs.

Lidcombe resident Mohamed Hassan told the council he witnessed racism in the Afghan, Muslim and Korean communities and implored the council to keep the distinct red signs.

“I witnessed a couple of months ago when a pregnant lady was reverse parking in Lidcombe shopping centre and carefully driving her car,’’ he said.

“Someone opened his window and loudly said to her ‘fix your eyes’.’’

RacismNOTWelcome sign in front of Lidcombe Library at Bridge St. Cumberland Council installed the anti-racism signs across the local government area in 2022.

He was “deeply disappointed” over the result, which he believed “normalises racism”.

“It’s like removing speed limit signs and expecting safe driving,’’ he said.

Instead of removing the anti-racism signs, Mr Hassan wanted the outdated signs with former Mayor Steve Christou’s picture removed from council facilities.

Libertarian councillor Christou claimed residents told him the signs were devaluing homes and labelled them “wokeness’’ and “virtue signalling’’.

”What next? Are we going to put up homophobic signs, are we going to put up Islamophobia signs?’’ he said.

Cr Hughes said the signs sent the wrong message.

Steve Christou despises the anti-racism signs. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Normally I think this sort of signage could encourage (racism) it but, equally, why is it only in one language?’’ she said.

“In general, we all get along unbelievably well.’’

Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter said the signs were ineffective to deter racism.

“In my life I’ve faced racism and the people who dished it out are not going to stop because there’s a sign on a pole – they’re going to do it anyway,’’ he said.

He said the business community had complained about signs which were prominent in main streets.

Cumberland councillor Diane Colman.

Councillor Nadima Kafrouni-Saba.

“I have been approached by a number of business owners who have said: “Why are these signs up?’’ Cr Zaiter said.

“A lot of people who have come from outside the area have asked the question … are you guys having issues with racism here?”

Liberal Nadima Kafrouni-Saba slammed the signs as a weak, superficial and a shallow approach.

“Placing a sign on a pole does not dismantle a system of inequality, nor does it change behaviours, it’s performative,’’ she said.

“The latest signal virtue without doing the real work that anti-racism requires.

“What we need is meaningful change – not token gestures. Let’s stop pretending a sign can do the job of leadership and compassionate action.’’

Independent councillor Eddy Sarkis is against the cost involved to remove the signs but voted to clear them so more would not have to be spent in the future.

Labor’s Diane Colman implored the council to keep the signs after saying it was the council’s job to make the community more inclusive.

“We are a country with a deep racism problem that is not getting better,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter said signs are not effective in deterring racism.

The university lecturer cited an example of one of her student’s hijab ripped off while she commuted from Auburn to Parramatta.

Councillor Suman Saha acknowledged the signs did not stop racism but helped deter it.

The council has not had any requests from the public to remove the signs, which cost $5000 to install. It did not comment on the cost to remove the signs.

Cr Garrard this week said “values should not be on telegraph poles”.

The signs were rejected in 2021 on then-mayor Christou’s casting vote but were rolled out when Labor dominated the chamber in 2022.

Councillors Garrard, Hughes, Sarkis Rahme, Christou, Zaiter, Kafrouni-Saba and Steve Yang voted to axe the signs.

Mayor Ola Hamed, councillors Colman, Saha, Enver Yasar, Sujan Selventhiran and Glenn Elmore supported keeping the signs. Cr Ouf was absent during the vote.

Originally published as Cumberland Council votes to remove anti-racism signs