By JOLENE OGLE
MORE than 100 students are expected to gather to write messages of tolerance and support at a planned peace rally at the local university on 29 October.
Brothers, Lachlan and Liam McKinnie, who both study at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), have planned the rally to promote acceptance and tolerance among the community.
“This event will be a celebration of acceptance for all people, no matter their ethnicity, religion or sexual identity,” Lachlan said.
“As part of this rally, we will be offering people the chance to sign a pledge stating that the Sunshine Coast is a community of peace that accepts all people.”
Liam said he hoped the rally would bring a better understanding of “misunderstood” groups to the wider community, with all who attend writing messages of support on cards and using the cards to create a large peace sign on the lawn at the university.
“In today’s political climate and popular discourses, there is a high level of anxiety and fear of people … who identify with misunderstood groups,” Liam said.
“This is alienating people and dividing our communities. We are organising this peace rally to promote understanding and to bring people together,” he said.
The peace rally comes as a response to the Church Street mosque site rally in Maroochydore, which saw pro-tolerance and anti-Muslim protesters engage in an angry clash in September.
While the brothers don’t expect any resistance to the planned rally, they said anyone who disagreed with their message was welcome to attend the event.
“If a small number of people want to peacefully disagree they do have their right to do so,” Liam said.
“We will have a level of security at the event, if necessary. If the chance of a disruptive protest increased, we will plan accordingly.”
The peace rally will take place on 29 October, from 11am, on the lawn in front of the Brasserie at USC.
