The apathy and racism inherent to most mainstream “Australia Day” (Invasion Day) events was dealt a blow by activists from the Revolutionary Socialist Party on January 26 in Melbourne. RSP members including revolutionary artist Van Rudd put the media corporations on notice that for a second year running the RSP would expose the racist nature of Invasion Day with “another public art instillation” this time located at the Great Australia Day Swim, Brighton Beach.

On January 26, 2010 the RSP created a media sensation when members exposed the Australian government outside the Australian Open at the Tennis Centre by wearing Ku Klux Klan costumes painted with the words “racism: made in Australia”, and holding placards calling for freedom for refugees and to end racist violence against Indian students. The action received massive television coverage across India and Australia. It was also picked up by various media outlets across Asia and the United States.

This year’s action consisted of a mock finish line painted with the words “Where indigenous people and refugees finish last”, i.e. in Australia. Below the finish line was a refugee girl mannequin surrounded by barbed wire and Australian flags. The action was covered by at least ten major newspapers and mainstream media websites including The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne’s Age and Herald Sun as well as Brisbane’s Courier Mail. A short video of the action is available on YouTube: