Footscray can look forward to celebrating Easter with a heavy police presence:
Uniform police, the Public Order Response Team and the Dog Squad will be out in force in Footscray over the coming weeks, as Victoria Police runs a series of operations in the area. (Vic Police)
Instead of tackling homelessness, mental health and poverty, we can look forward to intimidation and racial profiling. As everyone knows, if you are African you are 8 times more likely to be searched than if you are white; your 5 times more likely to be searched if you are Middle Eastern/Mediterranean; 4 times more likely if you’re Pacific Islander; and 11 times more likely if you are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (year old statistics from the Centre Against Racial Profiling).
It’s a lucky thing Jesus isn’t walking the Footscray mall!
Footscray needs community, housing and health and social services, not intimidation.
As Dr. Berhan Ahmed, Africause CEO, said of this latest police operation:
How many more of these moments will we face? We cannot afford a future defined by continued ‘shows of force’. What we truly need is a show of hope, care, and community investment. Leadership must come from all levels—including local council. As ratepayers, we are watching our properties sit vacant for years. Without appropriate, timely action, the situation will only worsen. It’s time for collaborative, community-led solutions that restore trust, safety, and vibrancy to Footscray.