The 2013 Walk Together march in Adelaide, led by Premier Jay Weatherill.
18 Australian cities will Walk Together on 25 October 2014 in call for unity, fairness and inclusion.
Wally de Backer – better known as Gotye – will join a raft of celebrities, political leaders and thousands of Australians on 25 October for Walk Together, which will see people from all walks of life across the nation unite in what Welcome to Australia national director Brad Chilcott calls “a tangible demonstration of the Australia that’s possible: welcoming, compassionate, generous and inclusive.”
Wally de Backer will give a free performance as part of a multicultural festival in Adelaide that occurs at the end of the Walk Together march, while all capital cities and many regional centres – including Mt Gambier – will see Australian identities, local celebrities and cultural performers unite in the call for an Australia where diversity is celebrated and all people are afforded equal dignity and worth, both in public policy and the national discourse.
As part of the National Day of Unity, Welcome to Australia is partnering with the Lebanese Muslim Association and the National Mosque Open Day, encouraging all Australians to take the opportunity to visit a mosque in their city before joining Walk Together. The Open Day provides an opportunity for anyone to satisfy their curiousity about mosques and ask questions they may have about the Islam faith.
The theme for Walk Together 2014 is Common People, Common Dreams.
“No matter who we are, where we came from, or how we arrived here – we share common dreams,” said Mr Chilcott, “We dream of living in security and safety; having the opportunity to contribute and belong; of living free of persecution and prejudice. We dream of living in a community where we’re able to express our faith, culture and identity without vilification or exclusion. We hope that the nation we’re in upholds our dignity and our human rights.”
“Whether you’re a rockstar or an asylum seeker in detention, we have these dreams in common,” Mr Chilcott explained, “We’re calling for an Australia where the ability to realise these dreams is equally shared.”
“We can’t allow the rhetoric of fear, prejudice and division to damage the health of our communities or to rob people of the ability to belong and contribute.”
“It’s time for all Australians – of all cultures, faiths and backgrounds – to Walk Together,” he said.
The Adelaide Walk Together event will begin at 1pm from Elder Park and end in Rundle Park. For a full list of other locations and local details around Australia, visit http://walktogether.welcometoaustralia.org.au.
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