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Feminist launches petition to counter 'racist bigots' lobbying ABC to sack Abdel-Magied

Several petitions are competing to get the most signatures to have embattled ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied sacked, while an opposing petition has been launched to show the besieged Muslim activist some love.

The petitions follow Ms Abdel-Magied's controversial Anzac Day Facebook statement, which she has since apologised for, that said: 'Lest . We. Forget. (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine...).'

Almost 40,000 people have signed two separate petitions asking for Ms Abdel-Magied to be sacked from her presenting role on Australia Wide on ABC News 24, with her fate hanging in the balance despite the ABC announcing they will stand by the controversial presenter.

One petition, created by Melbourne man Avi Yemini has reached over 10,000 signatures while another created by Sydney man Mark Klein has reached almost 30,000 signatures.

But feminist Clementine Ford has started a change.org petition in support of Ms Abdel-Magied - calling on supporters to show her some love and "give her a pony".

Photo: Change.org
Photo: Change.org
Photo: Change.org
Photo: Change.org

Ms Ford, whose petition has almost 800 signatures, says 'Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a dead-set legend'.

"She puts herself on the line and cops a lot of crap from racist bigots and Strayan d***heads," Ms Ford wrote.

"For speaking the truth about the horrors of war, Yassmin has been hounded by... hundreds of dickheads on Facebook, many of whom are calling for her to be deported, stoned, beheaded etc."

Clementine Ford's change.org petition asks people to show Ms Abdel-Magied 'some love'. Photo: Change.org
Clementine Ford's change.org petition asks people to show Ms Abdel-Magied 'some love'. Photo: Change.org

"Yassmin does not deserve this hatred. Yes, this is a meaningless petition - but so is the one circulating demanding the ABC fire her. Send Yass some love by letting her know that you support her and recognise she deserves to be given a pony."

Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has weighed into the Yassmin Abdel-Magied Anzac Day scandal.

Mr Joyce said it made it harder to justify the broadcaster's funding.

Ms Abdel-Magied has copped criticism over her post on ANZAC day about refugees. Photo: Facebook / Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Ms Abdel-Magied has copped criticism over her post on ANZAC day about refugees. Photo: Facebook / Yassmin Abdel-Magied

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson echoed his views.

"They should have a cut to their funding most of them are on nearly 400 thousand dollars in wages at tax payer expense," she said.

Federal Nationals MP George Christensen and Ms Hanson have both called for Ms Abdel-Magied to be sacked while Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and his Liberal colleague Eric Abetz have strongly condemned her post.

The ABC are standing by Ms Abdel-Magied. Photo: Facebook / Yassmin Abdel-Magied
The ABC are standing by Ms Abdel-Magied. Photo: Facebook / Yassmin Abdel-Magied

On Tuesday night, an ABC spokesperson explained why they've kept Ms Abdel-Magied on.

"When presenting for the ABC she [Ms Abdel-Magied] works in accordance with ABC editorial and other policies," the spokesperson said.

"Ms Abdel-Magied is also engaged in a range of other activities and work that is not related to the ABC.

"Her views and opinions in that capacity are her own and do not represent those of the ABC."

There are also calls for Ms Abdel-Magied to be removed from the Council for Australian-Arab Relations.