Standing Against Hate: National Conversation Comes to the Coast

As headlines continue to spotlight rising tensions and religious conflict, one grassroots movement is encouraging Aussies to stand together — not apart.

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Reverend Mark Leach, CEO of Never Again Is Now, joined Steve D to talk about the growing concern of antisemitism in Australia and why he’s calling the nation to action.

“We started after the attacks in Israel on October 7,” Mark explained, “and then the rallies in Sydney two days later, where I led a solo counter protest.

“I stood and waved an Israeli flag in the face of the mob because I wanted to say: here in Australia, we don’t hate each other over religion.”

Mark describes Never Again Is Now as a grassroots movement “to stand with the Jewish community against hatred” and “to protect Western civilisation — to stand for the Australia we know and love.”

“Here in Australia, we don’t hate each other over religion.”

Even on the Sunshine Coast, where things may feel more peaceful, he warns that “antisemitism is a hatred that mutates and spreads… Even if there are no Jewish folk living in your area, there are others who are different, and we need to stand together for the future of this country.”

Most of the attacks, Mark said, are happening online.

“I get called all kinds of disgusting things… death threats.

Never Again Is Now stands “with the Jewish community against hatred… to stand for the Australia we know and love.”

“The spread of these ideas that Jews are somehow evil… It’s a crazy space we find ourselves in as a country.”

He shared a story about a farmer from the WA wheatbelt who put an Israeli flag sign at the end of his country driveway.

“It was defaced with swastikas and ‘F the Jews’… so now he’s putting the sign back up with security cameras.”

Mark is bringing his national speaking tour, Australia at the Crossroads, to the Sunshine Coast on July 17.

Mark is bringing his national speaking tour, Australia at the Crossroads, to the Sunshine Coast on July 17.

While the exact venue can’t be revealed until 24 hours beforehand for safety reasons, locals can register via the website.

“You can expect to meet people who are concerned about the future of Australia,” Mark said.

“We’ll look at where we’ve come from, what’s at stake, and how to take local action to preserve harmony and inclusion.”

To register, visit neveragainisnow.com and sign up on the events page.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Feature image: CanvaPro