An Australia Day Billboard (Featuring This Photo) Was Removed After Threats; Campaigners Are Now Crowdfunding Another

It was accused of being “too politically correct”.

The Guardian has located the original photograph used in the digital Australia Day billboard that was targeted by right-wing groups and ultimately taken down following criticism and some threats.

It was originally reported that the billboard—which featured rolling images of people from different cultural backgrounds celebrating Australia—featured women in hijabs.

However, the original photograph has been uncovered, and without the text obscuring the subjects’ faces, it becomes apparent that the photo is of two young girls.

According to The Guardian, the pic was snapped in Melbourne on January 26, 2016. The girls had been celebrating Australia Day events at Docklands. It is featured in the Victorian government’s Australia Day gallery.

Campaigners are now crowdfunding a project to put up a new Australia Day billboard featuring the same photo.

As of this writing, the GoFundMe campaign—headed by Campaign Edge’s Executive Creative Director Dee Madigan—has raised more than $30,000 of its $50,000 goal.

Companies willing to donate $1,500 or more will see their logo appear on the ad.

Dear all young women
I know it's hard sometimes but be proud of who you are
When they remove your image from #billboards -Make your own 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/E3cokhdSux

— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) January 17, 2017

Photo: Victorian Government