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annanimus.bsky.social
Anna among the weeds
@annanimus.bsky.social
400 followers 940 following 290 posts
🎨 I paint the sky
✏️ I write to think
🕊️ Poetry is necessary in dark times
🧹 GOW, allergic to cats
🦘 AusPol
🌱 There will be weeds
☕️ And there’d better be coffee

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annanimus.bsky.social
Anna among the weeds @annanimus.bsky.social · Oct 17
Goodbye Twitter.

Hello Bluesky. Hope the mood is better here (I’ll do my best to add, not subtract).
Jerrabomberra Wetlands
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
simonrosenberg.bsky.social
Louise Adler sets out powerfully how the Adelaide Writers Week debacle was not a one-off.

But part of a dangerous anti-democratic pattern of efforts by the Israel lobby, the Murdoch media, and their political supporters to cancel Palestinian voices and silence dissent. #abc730 #auspol
January 13, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
monikamerkes.bsky.social
Louise Adler, thank you for speaking out. #auspol #democracy
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
'Act of cultural vandalism': Adler attacks censors over Writers' Week scandal
Former Adelaide Writers' Week director says the reputation of the event has been "trashed" as she took aim at lobby groups and the SA Premier during an intense appearance on 7.30.
www.abc.net.au
January 13, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
ournewhomecoach.bsky.social
Cathy Wilcox, Louise Adler, Jane Caro and others. It’s up to intelligent compassionate women of a certain age to tell those bastards to fuck off. The only ones with the bravery to do it.
January 12, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
ingridm.bsky.social
“art in the service of social cohesion is propaganda”: Louise Adler standing tall as always. What a legend✊🏼❤️

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I am resigning as director of Adelaide Writers’ Week | Louise Adler
Cancelling the Australian Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
Solidarity with Louise Adler and Randa Abdel-Fattah. We stand against this retrograde decision and with the countless authors withdrawing in support of Randa and her work.
January 13, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
cathywilcox.bsky.social
Few words.
My @smh @theage cartoon
January 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
kazcooke.bsky.social
Piffle. 'Divisive' isn't a rebuke for a cartoonist, it's a requirement. People express their divided opinions & beliefs on every political cartoon, opinion piece, whether they want a cup of tea & increasingly, on scientific facts. Often in articles & 'letters to the editor' solicited by the SMH.
SMH editorial headline 'Wilcox cartoon was divisive' added to an apology for offending some readers. It doesn't reproduce the cartoon with it that so people could decide for themselves.
January 12, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
margaretmorgan.bsky.social
My letter to the Adelaide Festival Board (cc'ing the SA Premier) about the revocation of the invitation to Randa Abdel-Fattah.

#Auspol
#Auslit
Dear Adelaide Festival Board, I write in regard to the rescinding of Dr Abdel-Fattah's invitation to appear at the upcoming Adelaide Writers' Week. As a novelist who has previously appeared as a panelist at Writers' Week, a librettist whose works have been performed at the Adelaide Festival, and indeed, an enthusiastic audience member since the early 1980s, I am outraged that you have chosen to censor this Palestinian Australian over her expressed views on Israeli genocide. To conflate criticism of Israel in Gaza with antisemitism and the recent horrors of Bondi is disingenuous and irrational. This is not the Adelaide Festival I have long held in the highest esteem for its respect for diverse voices and ideas. Censorship is the enemy of creativity. Your foolish action threatens to destroy Adelaide Writers' Week and ravage the reputation of the Adelaide Festival globally. I urge you to reverse your decision. Yours sincerely, Margaret Morgan, BA LLB BAdvSc Author & screenwriter Rotterdam, Netherlands
January 11, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
grogsgamut.bsky.social
Just saw this. What utter bullshit. The Israel lobby are devoted to destroying the livelihoods of anyone who does not share their love of genocide.

The SMH is a rag.

www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
Wilcox cartoon was divisive – and we apologise for the hurt it has caused
Although there is no place in this country for hate speech, there must be room for people to express their views on politics and world events.
www.smh.com.au
January 11, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
richarddenniss.bsky.social
If we are to make Australia a safe place to live in freedom and safety, we must be very careful about what freedoms we remove in pursuit of safety. History suggests removing the right of diverse voices to be heard does little to ensure safety or freedom of any of us.

thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Engaging with people you disagree with is part of democracy. Silencing authors is not.
The Australia Institute’s decision to withdraw its involvement in, and sponsorship of, Adelaide Writers’ Week was easy to make but raises difficult questions. As a research-based think tank, we thrive...
thepoint.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
michaelwestbiz.bsky.social
After Bondi, calls for a Royal Commission appeared overnight, delivered by rotating groups using identical language. That is astroturfing, a PR tactic that simulates grassroots demand to manufacture urgency, crowd out scrutiny, and lock in policy before evidence is tested. More on YT
January 9, 2026 at 4:40 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
amyremeikis.bsky.social
www.crikey.com.au/2026/01/09/p...
Decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian writer from Adelaide Festival is pure, ugly politics
The moral spinelessness in not only seeking to silence Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, but to link the cancellation to the abhorrent terrorist attack in Bondi, speaks volumes over who is allowed to have a voic...
www.crikey.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
ingridm.bsky.social
good lord😳incredible write up at ArtsHub News, including multiple statements from staunch authors and the Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas.

www.artshub.com.au/news/news/ad...
screenshot of authors who have withdrawn from Adelaide Writers Week 2026. Full list here https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/adelaide-writers-week-in-disarray-as-38-writers-boycott-over-boards-censorship-of-randa-abdel-fattah-2836629/ screenshot of more authors who have withdrawn from Adelaide Writers Week 2026. Full list here https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/adelaide-writers-week-in-disarray-as-38-writers-boycott-over-boards-censorship-of-randa-abdel-fattah-2836629/
January 9, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
michaelwestbiz.bsky.social
Adelaide Writers Festival dumps Randa Abdel Fattah due to 'sensitivities'. TAI pulls out, others expected
#auspol #whatsthescam @kimwingerei.bsky.social

michaelwest.com.au/vale-adelaid...
Vale Adelaide Writers Week. A literary icon succumbs to Israel pressure - Michael West
Adelaide Writers Week has announced the cancellation of Randa Abdel-Fattah, author, sociologist and supporter of the Palestinian people.
michaelwest.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
janecaro.bsky.social
My statement regarding my decision to withdraw from this year’s Adelaide Writers Festival.
January 8, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
squigglyrick.bsky.social
Quite genuinely, this is why Frydenberg et al never wanted Bell as commissioner. She will no doubt examine real, appalling instances of antisemitism, and the extremism that led to Bondi massacre, but I suspect she will spend at least some time on the plain truth of Israel’s campaign for silence.
January 8, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
squigglyrick.bsky.social
It’s going to be an interesting few weeks when the royal commission examines, as I suspect it will, the defraying of social cohesion caused by the organised censorship of writers, artists and employees across the country for daring to speak against an unfolding genocide
January 8, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
ingridm.bsky.social
people are withdrawing from Adelaide writers week faster than can be reported. In addition to the names listed here are Ren Wyld, Emma Shortis, and Fiona Katsaukas. Important detail: the only creative, Stephen Page, has left the Adelaide Festival board.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
grogsgamut.bsky.social
Statement from @australiainstitute.org.au on Adelaide Festival.
STATEMENT FROM THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE 8 January 2026 Following a statement from the board responsible for the Adelaide Festival organisation and all Adelaide Writers’ Week events, The Australia Institute is withdrawing its support and sponsored events from this year’s literary festival. The Australia Institute has valued being part of discussions at the event, which in the past have promoted bravery, freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas. Censoring or cancelling authors is not in the spirit of an open and free exchange of ideas.
January 8, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
amyremeikis.bsky.social
I stand with Randa and everyone standing against hate, genocide, oppression and terror. In all its forms.
Statement from the Australia Institute announcing its withdrawal of support and sponsored events from the Adelaide Writers’ Festival Statement from Amy Remeikis withdrawing from Adelaide Writers’ Festival
January 8, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
fionakatauskas.bsky.social
Well, I was going to be on a panel at the Adelaide Writers' Festival but I'm not any more.
January 8, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
grogsgamut.bsky.social
Absolutely disgraceful.

The Adelaide Festival has cancelled Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from appearing.
As the Board responsible for the Adelaide Festival organisation and all Adelaide Writers’ Week events, staff, volunteers and participants, we have today advised scheduled writer Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah that the Board has formed the judgment that we do not wish to proceed with her scheduled appearance at next month’s Writers’ Week. Whilst we do not suggest in any way that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s or her writings have any connection with the tragedy at Bondi, given her past statements we have formed the view that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. The Board has also now formally established a sub-committee to oversee the ongoing Board-led review, and guide decisions about Adelaide Writers’ Week in the near and longer terms. This includes ongoing engagement with relevant Government agencies and the appointment and/or advice of external experts. This suite of decisions has been taken with the genuine view that they provide the best opportunity for the success and support of the Adelaide Festival, for Adelaide Writers’ Week and the communities we seek to serve and engage. We understand these Board decisions will likely be disappointing to many in our community. We also recognise our request to Dr Abdel-Fattah will be labelled and will cause discomfort and pressure to other participants. These decisions have not been taken lightly. Our only request is that our community is respectful to our staff and volunteers who have not formed part of our decision-making process and deserve nothing but ongoing support for their excellent work. We have communicated our decisions to the State Government after having regular discussions post the tragic events at Bondi. The Board and Senior Executive will be communicating with all Adelaide Writers’ Week participants in coming days, along with other key stakeholders. We hope to see you at Adelaide Writers’ Week. The Adelaide Festival Board
January 8, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
instanterudite.bsky.social
As a former Director of Adelaide Writers' Week I am appalled that the Adelaide Festival Board has rescinded Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah's invitation to the 2026 AWW, explicitly linking its decision to the shattering crimes in Bondi.

A shocking decision that will and should have far-reaching consequences.
January 8, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Anna among the weeds
joneshowdareyou.bsky.social
Boycott the racist anti-Palestinian pro-genocide Adelaide Festival.

Stand with Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. #auspol #sapol #FreePalestine
www.adelaidefestival.com.au/news/2025/ad...
January 8, 2026 at 3:09 AM