Crowdfunding effort might just bring back the billboard racists helped remove

A crowdfunding campaign hopes to reinstall an Australia Day billboard that was taken down after the company behind it received threats.

The digital billboard featured two young girls in hijabs with an Australian flag, and advertised the local government's upcoming Australia Day celebrations in Melbourne on Jan. 26. 

Launched Wednesday, the campaign on GoFundMe has received more than A$14,000 ($10,561) in just two hours.

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An image of the Carrum Downs billboard was posted on a number of rightwing Facebook groups over the weekend, according to AAP, and was later removed by the outdoor media company QMS after it received threats. QMS declined to comment on the nature of the threats.

A photo of the billboard was shared on the Facebook page of the far right group United Patriots Front on Jan. 13. "They're making every effort to re-define your nation and gradually erase you from history," the group wrote. "Makes me sick to my core seeing this propaganda," one commenter added.

According to AAP, the photo was originally taken on Australia Day 2016 at celebrations in Docklands, Melbourne. The country's national day is itself divisive, as it's considered by many to mark the beginning of colonial subjugation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said it was disappointing to see the attacks against "proud Australians."

"Anyone who considers this a victory needs a refresher on the true meaning of Australia Day," he told Mashable in a statement. "It's very disappointing to see a small minority attacking proud Australians for their love of their country."

The crowdfunding effort was launched by Dee Madigan, creative director of the Sydney advertising agency Campaign Edge. Madigan told Mashable she was "really cross" when she saw the billboard had been removed and decided to take action.

"It was just two Australian girls celebrating Australia Day, that's it," she said. "It's almost like they can't win — it was just so spectacularly unfair."

While she couldn't fund the billboards all by herself, she pointed out that people donating to the campaign so far have come from all sides of the political spectrum. If they reach their goal, they'll aim to put a version of the billboard back up wherever they can.

"It's not about making a political statement," she added. "I don't want Australian Muslims to feel like they're not welcome."

Any extra funds will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

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