Sarah Stephen, Sydney
Following Easter protest actions at Woomera and Baxter detention centres in 2002 and 2003, refugee activists from around the country will this year converge on Prime Minister John Howard's Sydney residence, Kirribilli House.
"We plan to lock up Howard this Easter unless he frees the innocent asylum seekers that languish in his political prisons", said Ian Rintoul, Refugee Action Coalition spokesperson, in a March 31 media release.
"The Woomera and Baxter protests of previous Easters galvanised the refugee-rights campaign and gave hope to detainees trapped behind the razor wire. Last year the inmates asked us to take our protest to those who were imprisoning them, so this year we will be knocking on Howard's door, as the chief perpetrator of these inhumane policies
"Last July we took our protest to [former immigration minister Phillip] Ruddock's doorstep in Pennant Hills... Now it is time for Howard to hear a message from the people that racism and fear and the denial of human rights are not acceptable in Australian politics."
On April 10 at 3.30pm there will be a convergence of refugee activists and supporters from around the country at Bradfield Park (under the Harbour Bridge), who will then march to, and surround, Kirribilli House. A vigil for those suffering in detention will be held through the night.
Some of the boats taking part in the Flotillas of Hope trip to Nauru for World Refugee Day in June will set up a water-based protest near Kirribilli house on the Easter weekend.
On April 11 at 1pm, refugee supporters will be joined by anti-war, civil liberty and Indigenous, public education and health care supporters, in a mass rally and march to end the politics of fear.
The protest is endorsed by Flotillas of Hope, Free the Refugees Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition, the North Shore Greens, the Western Sydney Peace Group and North-West Friends of Refugees.
[For more information phone Ian on 0417 275 713 or Mark on 0422 078 376.]
From Green Left Weekly, April 7, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.