We were deeply saddened by news of the death of Leon Gilpin. He died from pancreatic cancer on 29 November, in a Melbourne hospice. He was surrounded by friends.
Leon, an Iranian born Kurd, was a warm, generous and much loved stalwart of the Melbourne left. His raised fist of resistance was unmissable. His proud and defiant image featured prominently in mainstream and movement media coverage of very many protests.
A passionate internationalist, Leon stood with the most oppressed. He marched for First Nations sovereignty, women’s liberation, justice for refugees and in opposition to racial profiling by cops. He was often on the frontline going nose-to-nose to resist neo-Nazis and other rightwing types. He also cared deeply about the threat of climate change.
In many different ways, Leon was literally a man of the street!
Gone far too soon — he will be sorely missed.
