As news breaks of Adam Goodes’ return to the Sydney Swans playing field, Australians from all over the country have banded together in support.
Goodes, who recently took a break from the game, has been the target of persistent racial vilification on and off the field after he stood his ground against a Collingwood supporter who called him an “ape”.
Many fans and supporters believe that the recently exacerbated treatment of Goodes stemmed from his outspoken nature on Aboriginal issues and racism in Australia, or, as Labor Senator Nova Peris put it, his refusal to “get back in his box”.
“My grandfather had chains around his goddamn neck,” said Peris at a recent Indigenous festival, “That is the truth of this country. When [Goodes] spoke out, the world said, ‘get back in your box, mate’.”
But Nova Peris isn’t the only one to speak out in defence of Goodes. In fact, she joined a long and impressive list of fans, supporters, celebrities and politicians who have taken a look into the ugly truth of the matter and decided to #StandWithGoodes.
Just like we have.
Indigenous fans flocked to the recent Swans game to show their support for Goodes, bearing signs, face paint and and guernseys.
Actors Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh joined the campaign on Saturday.
As did the rest of their cast.
Hugo Weaving has been vocal about his support, as well.
A number of AFL players, both Indigenous and not, have shown their support on field. Travis Varcoe of Collingwood wore a armband in his honour.
Fremantle’s Daniel Pearce’s celebratory war dance.
Neville Jetta shows his pride with an armband and his own dance.
With Sydney’s Lewis Jetta following close behind.
Melbourne’s Nathan Jones made an emphatic point against Collingwood.
Sydney’s Harry Cunningham also donned an armband.
The Sydney Swans’ Saturday game banner.
And Richmond’s.
Artists at Tjala Arts show their support.
Dancers at the recent Garma festival paint themselves with Goodes’ number, 37.
Children with the Sydney Swan’s red V.
The Age’s historic cover.
Indigeneous singer/songwriter, Marcus Corowa, at the recent Swans game.
Singer Xaiver Rudd.
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