|
|
Rally to Welcome Refugees
Refugees are welcome! End Mandatory Detention!
Dates, times and places all over Australia marking World Refugees Day.
Contact:
Money for community resettlement, not the 'Pacific Solution'. Full rights for refugees, not temporary protection visas.
Across Australia a movement is gathering momentum. A movement demanding justice for asylum seekers, giving human compassion to detainees, offering alternative ways to the government.
While our government fails its international obligations and humanitarian responsibilities through its policies of imprisoning children, women and men behind razor wire, the voice of the people's movement grows louder.
Ordinary Australians have initiated projects to establish welcome cities and towns. Tens of thousands of residents have offered their own homes for accomodation and to provide community support.
We reject the divisive demonising of refugees, our fellow human beings. We reject the policy of mandatory detention and the injustice of the Pacific solution. We reject the discrimination and uncertainty that continues for refugees when they are released with less than full rights on temporary protection visas.
By signing the Refugee Convention in 1951, the Australian government promised that we would accept asylum seekers and humanely process their claims.
Palm Sunday revealed a movement of thousands - a movement determined to keep that promise and bring a culture of welcome, justice and equality for those people fleeing war, suffering and persecution.
We will mobilise again, nationally on June 22 and 23, the weekend of World Refugee Week to say "Refugees are Welcome, End Mandatory Detention". We demand a fundamental change in government policy.
Except for Indigenous Australians we are all boat people. Let's recognise our history, strive to overcome racist divisions, reap the rewards of diversity and embrace the contribution of refugees.
In Sydney we will gather on Sunday, June 23 where the first fleet arrived: boats carrying many poor and distressed people. This is a symbol of our determination to extend a welcome to the boat people of the 21st century and build a future free of the injustices of the past.
| Adelaide |
Sunday June 23, 12 noon Hindmarsh Square.
Refugee Action Collective 8231 6982, 0411 524 724 |
| Armidale |
Justice for Refugees 6778 5038, 6773 3572 |
| Byron Bay |
Sunday June 23, 2pm Railway Park, Byron Bay.
Byron Shire and Lismore Refugee Action Collectives 6684 5001, 0418 119 450 |
| Brisbane |
Sunday June 23, 12 noon King George Square.
Refugee Action Collective 0409 877 528 |
| Canberra |
Sunday June 23, 12 noon, Garema Place.
March to national library.
Refugee Action Collective 0407 258 695, 0415 752 012 |
| Darwin |
Sunday June 23 11am. Gather in Park beside Nightcliff Markets on Oleander St.
Refugee Action Network 8981 4714, 0421 504 376 |
| Hobart |
Saturday June 22, 12 noon, Parliament House Lawns.
Tasmanians for Refugees 0413 976 638 |
| Melbourne |
Sunday June 23, 1pm State Library, Swanston and LaTrobe Sts.
Refugee Action Network 9659 3505, 0408 538 916, 0402 070 667
Refugee Action Collective (West) 0438 191 768
June 28 & 29, High school walk-out and festival at Maribyrnong Detention Centre |
| Newcastle |
Saturday June 22, Refugee Rights Tent Embassy, 11am Enterprise Park, opposite Newcastle Station.
Newcastle Refugee Rights Group. 49 262 924, 49 681 2 81.
Sunday June 23 rally and march 11am same location. |
| Perth |
Saturday June 22, 12 noon, Forest Place.
Refugee Rights Action Network (RRAN). 9218 9608, 9388 6009. |
| Rockhampton |
Saturday June 22, 10am rally at Stapleton Park (near the PCYC).
March to Riverbank main stage in Quay St.
Rural Australians for Refugees 0438 793 179. |
| Sydney |
Sunday June 23 Assemble 11am, Circular Quay, for march to Hyde Park.
Free the Refugees 0410 629 088,
Refugee Action Coalition 0417 275 713,
Labor for Refugees 0408 057 779. |
| Wollongong |
Sunday June 23 Meet at 9.15 am at Wollongong train station to go to Sydney rally.
Illawarra Refugee Action Collective 0414 898 024 |
|
|
|
