Death reveals racist Tassie

http://www.themercury.com.au/art ... _tasmania-news.html
MICHELLE PAINE

July 03, 2009 08:06am

A CANDLELIGHT memorial for murdered student Zhang Yu has revealed distress at racist attacks on overseas students.

Last night about 40 people, mostly Asian students, carried their candles from Sandy Bay to St David's Park in Hobart.

The mourning students said that on their way someone yelled "Serve you right, go home f... Asians".

Several students said there was nothing to make them think the death of Ms Yu, whose body was found on Tuesday, was related to her Chinese nationality.

But racist taunts and attacks, with eggs and bottles, were far more common than authorities admitted.

"We think Australia is a lovely place, a good place, and we heard Tasmania is the safest place in Australia even before we came here," said Chinese Society vice-president Wen Zheng.

"We like peace. We want a safe place. International students contribute a lot to the Tasmanian economy.

"We love Australia and Australian people. We are very disappointed. We don't want this case to happen again. We want to see the justice system work properly here."

Students said police were investigating a recent bashing.

Leave a message of support or sympathy to Ms Yu's family and friends


Kitty Liu said some students had their letterboxes bombed.

"They were very quiet girls, excellent students, who had this happen a couple of weeks ago," Ms Liu said.

She said students were "shocked and sad and angry" at the death of Ms Yu, a 26-year-old accountancy student.

Mr Zheng said the candlelight ceremony showed respect.

"In Chinese culture it is a way to show sadness and respect. We would like to give our best wishes to Tina and we hope she will rest in peace," he said.

Marshall Chen, a friend of Ms Yu, was visibly moved when talking about her trusting nature.

"She was a really good girl," he said. "She was very friendly to everybody."

Some students said they were distressed at the penalties given to those who had killed or hurt students interstate.

"We believe the Tasmanian court could show us justice," Helen Han said.

Graham Pittis, whose wife is Chinese, was harsher.

He said there was serious racism in Tasmania.

"People are abused in the street," he said.

Students are planning a display at Salamanca Market tomorrow.

我刚看到新闻，还正准备发贴的，LZ你速度真快，顶一下，昨天确实很值得怀念～～～