Sarah Hanson-Young protest sign image is fake

FactCheck July 5, 2019

The Statement

AAP FactCheck examined a Facebook post by the group Like My Page which shows an image of South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and some supporters carrying signs at a rally that read: “I would rather help illegals than 100,000 homeless Australians.”

*The Facebook post from June 2o 2019, claimed to show Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and supporters carrying signs that read: “I would rather help illegals than 100,000 homeless Australians.”*

Like My Page is listed as a news/media company whose mission is to promote social media pages.

The June 20 2019, post had been shared over 560 times and attracted over 80 comments and 140 reactions. The majority of the comments accept the image is real and are critical of Senator Hanson-Young and the Greens party.

The Analysis

The same image bearing a different caption on the sign was published by Senator Hanson-Young on her official Facebook page 18 months ago on November 4, 2017. The signs in that image carried by Senator Hanson-Young and her supporters read: “Free The Refugees”.

*Senator Hanson-Young posted a similar photograph on November 3, 2017, on her verified Twitter page with a sign that read: “Free The refugees.”*

Senator Hanson-Young tweeted a similar photograph on November 3, 2017, on her verified Twitter page. The tweet reads: “To the #Manus refugees: In Adelaide tonight we stood in solidarity with you. Many Australians are ashamed at what our Govt has done to you.” The signs carried by Senator Hanson-Young and supporters also read “Free The refugees.”

A Google map search confirmed the background to the rally was the corner of King William Street and Rundle Mall in Adelaide, outside a Travelex outlet and Haigh Chocolates store. A Rundle Mall street sign can be seen beside a Haigh Chocolates street awning. These same street signs and stores are mirrored in the June 20, 2019 Like My Page Facebook post.

Senator Hanson-Young’s office confirmed to AAP FactCheck the Greens senator attended a rally supporting refugees on Manus Island on November 3, 2017 in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall where photographs were taken and posted showing the “Save The Refugees” signs.

The Verdict

Based on this evidence AAP FactCheck finds the image posted on Facebook by Like My Page on June 20, 2019 is fake. The original caption on the signs in the image has been changed to read: “I would rather help illegals than 100,000 homeless Australians”.

False – The Facebook post is false

First published Friday July 5, 2019 13:55 AEST

All information, text and images included on the AAP Websites is for personal use only and may not be re-written, copied, re-sold or re-distributed, framed, linked, shared onto social media or otherwise used whether for compensation of any kind or not, unless you have the prior written permission of AAP. For more information, please refer to our standard terms and conditions.

Media Literacy Campaign