Photos: Will Penrose, Ivanka Su, Tiaman Cleary, Amabella Romano, Prithvi P. Anvekar, Vibhor Bangwal, Krustal Gui & Chrishell Yin
By SAT News Desk
The Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a woman following Elizabeth Street, CBD assault of two Chinese international students on 15 April. The girls were allegedly bashed and assaulted by a group who taunted them of COVID-19 and asked them to ‘go back to China’.
The incident which has been condemned widely has also been slammed by university student organizations.
President of the Victoria University Students Union (VUSU) Will Penrose has called the incident ‘disgusting’ and says, ” International Students are in a very vulnerable place at this moment in time and these actions only make things worse. We should be fighting for tolerance, not fighting each other. VUSU commits to supporting everyone during this time
regardless of race, sexuality or belief.”
Ivanka Su, NUS international officer says, “I strongly condemn this kind of unequal treatment, here demanding government and public to provide a fair and equitable response, we are in this together, trusting we deserved better than this.”
Tiarnan Cleary, President Deakin University Student Association feels, ” This is an unfortunate consequence of the LNP government’s critical statements towards international students studying in Australia. Increased racism surmounting from conservative political rhetoric is forcing struggling international students to feel further isolated in an already difficult time.”
Annabelle Romano, President La Trobe University Student Union while condemning the assault says, ” Racism should not be tolerated in our community and there is no excuse for this behavior. During this unprecedented time, it has been made clear that our International students are some of the worst affected in Australia.”
Prithvi.P. Anvekar, President of La Trobe University Hindu Society says, ” Due to COVID-19 crisis targeting the International Chinese students, hitting them on streets is not the solution to this problem. Since they are part of International students they contribute equally to the economy.”
Daniel Hoogstra, RMIT University Students Union (RUSU) President, “Racism and violence must never be tolerated in our community. It is completely unacceptable. There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behavior.”
Vibhor Bangwal, RMIT Indian student leader and NUS delegate says, ” I show my gratitude and support towards the innocent international students and would request the authorities to investigate this matter. I’ll stand up for any help during this pandemic for every international student.”
RUSU International Officer, Krystal Gui says, “The pandemic is such that everyone is suffering from it and in this crisis, international students being beaten up is no safety. It disappoints every international student and threatens the security of their existence in this country and city.
Chrishell Yin, RUSU Welfare officer is of the opinion, “During this pandemic where every student has been struggling to cut out their living cost and other expenses, this incident breaks our heart.
