See media report on the action here (although it underestimates the size of the rally, which was attended by about 250 people http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/refugee-group-rallies-in-sydney-20101023-16yeh.html
STAND UP FOR REFUGEES PROTEST
1pm Saturday October 23 @ Sydney Town hall
Close all detention centres
No offshore processing
No deportations
Speakers include:
Lee Rhiannon (Greens Senator elect for NSW)
Phil Glendenning (Edmund Rice Centre)
Sally McManus (NSW Secretary, Australian Services Union)
Riz Wakil (Hazara Afghan asylum seeker)
Michael Dudley (Psychiatrist and Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia)
The Siev X was an Indonesian fishing boat that sank en route to Australia’s Christmas Island on 19 October 2001. Over 350 people drowned. At the time the Australian government was involved in “people smuggling ‘disruption’ operations” that included the sabotage of refugee boats. Siev X is a powerful reminder of what “stopping the boats” really means.
Download an A4 pdf version of the poster for the rally to stick up at work or in your local area by clicking on this link
Read more on the Siev X tragedy: Download the fact sheet at this link or visit http://www.sievx.com/
For details of interstate rallies click on this item to view the full post
MELBOURNE
Justice for refugees—End mandatory detention
2pm Sunday November 7, State Library (cnr Swanston and Latrobe Sts, City).
We have a new parliament, but the old, brutal policy of mandatory detention remains. We need to raise our voices and say enough. It is time for a fundamental change in the way we treat asylum seekers. There are currently over 4600 people in detention centres, places that 2010 Australian of the Year, mental health advocate Pat McGorry, described as “factories for producing mental illness”.
The refugee movement is expecting humanitarian changes to refugee policy from the new parliament.
For more information or to add your endorsement email refugeeadvocacynetwork@gmail.com
Or contact Refugee Action Collective
www.rac-vic.org
BRISBANE
Rally to commemorate Siev X
Take a stand for refugees
5.30 pm, Friday October 22
King George Square
For details of rallies and events visit: http://www.rac-qld.org/
Contact Refugee Action Collective. Ph 3392 3843.
PERTH
Stand up for refugees protest
12:30 pm Saturday October 23 @ Department of Immigration and Citizenship offices
Wellington Central – 836 Wellington St, West Perth
* Close all detention centres
* No offshore processing
* No deportations
Contact Refugee Rights Action Network for details www.rran.org
CANBERRA
Stand up for refugees protest
Saturday 23rd October 2010 1pm Petrie Plaza (near Merry-go-Round)
Contact Refugee Action Committee Canberra for details www.refugeeaction.org
