Rhonda vs the CEO - A fight for free speech

Rhonda Garad, a local councillor in Dandenong, is being unfairly attacked by her CEO for speaking out against the genocide in Gaza. The CEO has used public resources to discredit her, while Rhonda must personally fund her legal defence. This campaign is to support her fight for free political speech and to protect democracy in local government.

My name is Damien, and I am helping Rhonda raise funds because the right to political free speech is critical to our democracy.

Rhonda is a Local Councillor at the City of Greater Dandenong. She has been a strong voice against the genocide in Gaza, which has deeply affected her community.

For this stance, the Council’s CEO published a false and damaging statement in Victoria's most widely read newspaper, claiming her social media is antisemitic and implying she has crossed the line into harassment, vilification, and bullying — even though the Federal Court has ruled that criticism of Israel, Zionism, or the IDF is not antisemitic.

If Rhonda doesn’t fight this, councillors will be too frightened to speak out against genocide for fear of being targeted by unelected CEOs.

After issuing a cease and desist letter, the CEO has refused to retract her harmful comments. Rhonda will now lodge a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

While the CEO uses ratepayer-funded lawyers, Rhonda must pay for her own defence. After losing her academic job over her support for Palestine, she cannot afford this fight alone.

Any funds not used will be donated to The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN).

For more details go here: https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/they-cant-take-your-integrity-councillor-rhonda-garad-on-falling-prey-to-the-antisemitism-witch-hunt/