A crowd-funding campaign to reinstate an Australia Day billboard featuring two Muslim girls that was removed after a number of threats has raised more than $150,000.
ASX-listed outdoor advertiser QMS pulled the ad from one of its digital billboards next to an outer Melbourne freeway after the image was shared online and sparked protests and threats to both the company and the girls, with some describing it as ‘un-Australian.”
The pro-bono ad, promoting a Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) sponsored Victorian government Australia Day event, showed the two young Muslim girls in hijabs.
“While the ads have been removed, anyone who considers this a victory needs a refresher on the true meaning of Australia Day,” said Victorian Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott.
Dee Madigan, creative director of ad agency Campaign Edge, on Wednesday launched a GoFundMe campaign to have the billboard reinstated, starting off with a goal of $20,000.
By 9pm on Thursday, the online campaign had raised more than $150,000.
“Wow, what an amazing campaign!” Madigan wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page. “We are overwhelmed with the support and have increased our target so that there can be multiple billboards across the country.
“We are now setting our sights on full page ads around Australia on Australia Day and on many, many billboards over the next week. Thanks again for your support, we will let you know billboard locations soon.
“The same groups who complain 'Muslims don't assimilate', complained about the photo OF AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA DAY. And due to this pressure the billboard was removed. If you or your business thinks this is not ok, please help us fund a billboard and print campaign featuring these two girls promoting Australia Day.
“The more money we raise, the more places we can run the ad. And if you’re a company or organisation willing to donate $1500 or more, your logo will appear on the ad to show your support for an inclusive Australia.”
Any left-over money will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
“Pauline Hanson has given people the permission to be racist, so if they are taking the gloves off, I will too," Madigan told AdNews. "Two girls celebrating Australia Day should have never been political in the first place. It should have never been removed."
QMS chief operating officer Malcolm Pearce told Print21 the company would be making no comment.