Prominent Australians fight anti-Semitism with hot chocolate

[shira]

Labor MP Michael Danby, Australian Workers Union secretary Paul Howes, former Labor Party president Warren Mundine, comedian Sandy Gutman, aka Austen Tayshus, and journalist Jana Wendt were among those who spoke out against a violent protest on July 1 outside the Max Brenner chocolate shop in Melbourne in which three police officers were hurt and 19 protesters arrested.

Mr Danby, who organised last night's meeting and is one of three Jewish federal MPs, said the violent protest had been a reminder to him of the need for vigilance against anti-Semitism, and it was worrying that Greens senator Lee Rhiannon was a vocal supporter of the boycott.

"The impetus was an ugly, violent demonstration in Melbourne and Senator Rhiannon's determination to take this boycott further," he said. "She would like to see it introduced into the Senate and into politics. "We remember the precedence of the 1930s; my father came from Germany, and (at) any sign of this kind of behaviour we have to draw a line in the sand."

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Mr Howes said the far-left protesters were "mimicking the behaviour of the Nazi thugs" and it was necessary to "nip this in the bud". "I would say the bulk of the people who are voting Greens have no understanding of the xenophobic, extremist and abhorrent policies they are voting for," he said.

more...
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/prominent-australians-fight-anti-semitism-with-hot-chocolate/story-fn59niix-1226103033643

Video of boycotters from July 29, 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e4XEO2iC9E&feature=player_embedded#at=232

from June 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLVE9Vu1w1k&feature=player_embedded