Curtin University
JANE ARMANASCO & MARK HEWITT report that Curtin University Refugee Rights Action Network activists set up a mock detention centre and campaigning stall on August 26. More than 1000 leaflets were distributed to questioning students and staff, with 20 academics wearing their black armbands to class.
The actions got a good response from students, especially Islamic and Arabic students. The next day, complaints were made to the student guild about the action being too "confronting" and too "vocal", however activists were quietly proud of making an impact, and thought it was a great start to the refugee-rights campaign on Curtin University.
Edith Cowan University
PHIL CHILTON reports that a small but dedicated group of student refugee activists constructed a mock detention centre at the Mount Lawley campus of Edith Cowan University on August 26. In the cold and rain, activists wrapped wire mesh around a gazebo on the university lawn to make the "Port Hateland" detention
centre and highlight our opposition to mandatory detention.
Activists handed out flyers, distributed the black armbands and were interviewed by an ECU broadcasting student. While the University facilities management forced the dismantlement of the "detention centre" after about 30 minutes, the activists felt the controversy would assist them set up a refugee action group at the university. Video showings and meetings are planned for the Mount Lawley campus to pull together ECU students who want to see the camps closed and the refugees free. Email <p.chilton@ecu.edu.au> to get involved.
Melbourne University
RAY FULCHER reports that it was standing room only at Melbourne University as more than 300 staff and students turned up to "After Tampa: A forum on mandatory detention".
Organised by the history department and arts faculty, the forum heard from former detainee Hossein Iran and Professor Gillian Triggs. More than half those present signed the Refugee Action Collective's referendum petition to make the Student Union a refugee safe haven.
University of Western Australia
FEDERICO FUENTES reports that activists in the UWA Refugee Rights Action Network (UWA RRAN) held a public trial of Philip Ruddock on campus on August 26. The audience heard witness after witness accusing Ruddock of crimes against humanity, after which Ruddock was found unanimously guilty. The action was also used to profile the UWA student guild September 3 annual general meeting, at which UWA RRAN will put a motion to hold a referendum on campus so that students can vote to declare UWA a refugee safe haven.
From Green Left Weekly, September 4, 2002.
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