BY ANDREW HALL
CANBERRA — Activists have taken to the streets in support of refugees in increased numbers early in 2003 to explain why refugees have a cause to rebel.
An emergency Refugee Action Committee meeting on January 6 was attended by nearly 60 people, many pledging to help organise a campaign in support of asylum seekers faced with racism, legal persecution and collective punishment.
In an inspiring show of support for refugees, 150 people gathered on January 10 in Garema Place in the heart of Canberra. They demanded the closure of the detention centres, the re-opening of the phone lines in the centres and that the government and the media tell the truth about the recent fires in the detention centres.
"The rally, organised at short notice, showed that we really can get out there and win the argument for a humanitarian refugee policy. More and more Australians see mandatory detention as the real crime", said Phil Griffiths who chaired the rally.
Jane Keogh, a RAC activist who communicates regularly with detainees, described how she had just talked to one friend on a hidden mobile phone in Baxter who said that "privileges" had been taken away, including all chairs, curtains, beds, shower curtains, incoming & outgoing phone calls — even the children's play equipment and the furniture in the recreation room.
Kerry Tucker, a Greens member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, also spoke, stating that not only is the mandatory detention of asylum seekers inhumane and cruel, but also scandalously expensive. She also attacked both Liberal and Labor for their cowardly lack of leadership, which she said promoted the worst in people, not the best.
On January 11, more than 30 RAC activists took part in leaflet and petition stalls at 12 local shopping centres, handing out hundreds of statements to combat the mainstream media lies following the December-January fires and crises in detention centers. RAC aims to distribute 4000 such leaflets during the next few weeks.
The Public Servants for Refugees network has also circulated the RAC statement through over 20 workplaces. For more information on Canberra RAC activities and ongoing campaigning stalls visit <http://www.refugeeaction.org.au>. Phone 0415 752 012 or (02) 6247 2424.
From Green Left Weekly, January 15, 2003.
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