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We all stand with Adam Goodes today. 

The Age has thrown its support behind Sydney Swans player and former Australian of the Year Adam Goodes today with a moving cover calling upon its readers to stand up against racism.

“Together, we can prevent any further blight. By seizing the opportunity to buttress awareness of the insidious dangers of racism, we can – we must – collectively generate an eventual benefit for the nation.” The Age wrote, encouraging leaders within the AFL and wider community to unite against racism.

Read more: We should not be booing Adam Goodes. We should be celebrating him.

The Age’s editor-in-chief, Andrew Holden, explained the cover, saying “we have taken this unusual step because we believe that racism is inherent in the abuse that Goodes has suffered and we all have a duty to help end this travesty.”

In the editorial accompanying the piece, The Age went on to say: “We take it as self-evident that vilifying any person on the grounds of race is a dreadful and harmful act that not only reflects terribly on the perpetrator, but is corrosive of our very community. The attacks on Goodes in recent times have reached such a level that they are reflecting poorly on our entire nation. We all have a duty to help end this travesty – and prevent repeats – by having the courage and decency to call out such behaviour as a racist disgrace. It certainly has no place in a nation that would pride itself on being diverse, multicultural and, above all, fair.”

The #IStandWithAdam hashtag on Instagram is full of support for Adam Goodes. Post continues after gallery.

“Many AFL players this weekend will make a public show of their support for Goodes. We applaud them, and we urge our readers to stand with them as part of a national declaration that this sorry chapter is not only closed, but that it cannot be repeated if we are to be truly able to say our nation is based on respect, decency and fairness.”

The Sydney Swans took on the Adelaide Crows today at the SCG. Goodes did not participate in  the match, but his presence on the ground was felt.

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Read more: In 3 minutes, Charlie Pickering perfectly explains why booing Adam Goodes IS racist.

A highlights package of Goodes’ career was played before the first bounce, in addition to a banner carrying an anti-racism message.

Yesterday, a joint statement released by the captains of the 18 AFL clubs called for an end to the booing that has plagued Goodes’ over recent months.

“Enjoy the game, celebrate the success but don’t boo, jeer or taunt players because of who they are or what they stand for.” the statement read.

Will you be supporting Adam Goodes today? 

For more, try: 

We should not be booing Adam Goodes. We should be celebrating him.

Jesinta Campbell makes a powerful point about the booing of Adam Goodes.

Adam Goodes isn’t playing the victim. He is being silenced by thugs.

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