Bendigo councillor mosque tweet sparks outrage
A Victorian councillor who sparked outrage after tweeting images depicting genital mutilation linked to Islam could be removed from her post.
Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for Cr Elise Chapman’s sacking after she circulated an image on social media as part of her campaign against Bendigo’s first mosque.
A supporter of the plans had sent a message on Twitter to Chapman stating she hoped the mosque gets built soon.
Ms Chapman responded with the image showing five babies with bloody wounds.
"Oh, we could have this here too? Would you like your fanny sliced off," she captioned the photo.
"Yes. I'm opposed to female genital mutilation, child brides, inequality, women beating, all part of Quran, read it."
Chapman's account was suspended by Twitter on Thursday night and the controversy has consequently sparked outrage in the local community.
The outcry prompted an online petition calling for Chapman to be removed from council. The petition has so far attracted 500 signatures.
“Her outdated and bigoted views on religion, together with the disgusting ways she gets them across are bringing the entire town into disrepute,” Geoff Brown, who started the petition told the ABC.
Bendigo Mayor Peter Cox said he was disappointed Cr Chapman could ‘post something of such a graphic nature’, adding that the tweets do not reflect the view of the council, which voted to approve the $3 million development in June last year.
Mr Cox will hold a meeting with Chapman in a bid to resolve the issue.
"Hopefully we can discuss this in a fair manner and take it from there," he said.
Ms Chapman was one of two councillors who voted against approving the mosque, which would include two prayer rooms, a shop and community sports centre.
The project has been the subject of vocal protests and a social media campaign from opponents, including 350 who submitted formal objections to the council.
About 40 letters of support were also received.
The planning approval has been appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and hearings are ongoing.
News break – February 27
