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The anti-mosque crowd is several hundred strong, made up of an eclectic mix of white people. They sport clothing from the Royal Australian Infidels imprint; biker gang leathers; elaborate tattoos; and shirts that decry Islam as a political ideology, not a religion. They wave Australian, Aboriginal, and boxing kangaroo flags, and hold white placards that claim: ISLAM OPPRESSES WOMEN and 80% OF BENDIGO RESIDENTS OPPOSE THE MOSQUE.The placards were prepared by Rights For Bendigo Residents, a local group that has fought the mosque plans from day one. "Our objections to the mosque are all legal ones," says Judy, a Rights For Bendigo Residents member, citing fraud and conflicts of interest in the development application. But she also expresses misgivings about Muslims' capacity to integrate. "They've got their prayer hall up at the uni," Judy says. "During their Friday afternoon prayer session, or whatever you call it, only about 30 of them turn up. So why do they need a mosque with a capacity of 2000 people?"
The protest was lead by Rights For Bendigo Residents, a local group that has fought the mosque plans from day one.
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