BY ALEX SALMON & JULIANNE GREEN
PERTH The June 22 component of the June 22-23 national mobilisations to demand that the Australian government end the mandatory detention of asylum seekers attracted good crowds. More than 800 people joined a rally in the Western Australian capital.
Speakers from Refugee Rights Action Network, Labor for Refugees, the Greens WA, the Socialist Alliance, Amnesty International and prominent Indigenous activist Clarrie Isaacs addressed the crowd.
If Howard and Ruddock want to go on about boat people, they should mention Captain Cook, he was the first boat person. He and his compatriots came illegally, occupied this land and attempted to wipe out the Indigenous people and their culture. We're all descendants of boat people, except for Indigenous Australians, declared Rupen Savoulian, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Alliance.
Greens speaker Dee Margets told the crowd that they should call for peace, justice and equality to triumph over fear and prejudice.
A lively march followed, led by the street percussion band, Junkadelic. The rally ended with the Working Voices Choir performing their song, Why can't we give refuge to a refugee?.
In Hobart, around 500 rallied. Lyn Fitzgerald from Unions Tasmania chaired, marking the union movement's support. Margaret Reynolds from the United Nations Association (Australia) pointed out that the real threat to Australia's borders is the relationship between the federal government and US President George Bush.
Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jocelyn Scutt read a moving poem. She pointed out that even the Nazis owned their own concentration camps where as in Australia they are run for private profit. Guy Williams from Amnesty International refuted the myths being spread about refugees.
Alex Bainbridge, a Socialist Alliance candidate for the state seat Denison in the July 20 election, spoke of the inspiring explosion of activism in support of refugees' rights in work places, high schools and country towns across Australia. He declared that the only humane alternative to mandatory detention is no detention. Bainbridge's demand that the Tasmanian Labor government declare the state a safe haven for refugees triggered an emotional roar from rally participants, who yelled back now.
Greg Barnes, a Liberal candidate who has been disendorsed by his party because of his opposition to the federal government's anti-refugee policies, pointed out that the humane treatment of refugees reflects a society's respect for universal human rights and is an issue that cannot be avoided. He joined Bainbridge in insisting that Premier Jim Bacon take a pro-refugee stand. He noted that refugees stimulate the economy and give back more than they take.
The rally was entertained and inspired by the Trade Union Choir, which sang their original song Please go John, local musician Peter Hicks and the band Otta.
In Rockhampton, north Queensland, more than 60 people marched across Fitzroy Bridge chanting, Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here and Close the camps. They rallied on the Riverbank. Terrica Studwick, a member of the Democratic Socialist Party and Rural Australians for Refugees, stressed how important it was for people to show their support for the rights of refugees. Such public demonstrations challenge people's preconceived ideas about refugees.
Jen Hayward, from Resistance, drew links between the racism directed towards refugees by the federal government and its policies towards Indigenous people. Rob Heard, a local musician sang Stranger, an emotive song about refugees. Paul Bambrick from the band, McCool, sang John Lennon's Imagine.
In Shepparton, in rural Victoria, more than 150 people braved the bitter cold to meet in Queen's Gardens to rally in solidarity with the detained refugees. The rally was organised by Refugee Action Collective and Rural Australians for Refugees. A large portion of the crowd were former detainees who have settled in Shepparton.
Speakers included Mark Purcell from the Catholic Commission for Justice Development and Peace, Jodie Betzien from RAC and a local paediatrician, Dr Eastaugh, who accused John Howard of child abuse for his government's detention of children refugees. Local people on temporary protection visas told their stories through an interpreter.
Jonathan Strauss from London reports that a march held there on June 22 to mark international refugee week attracted 5000 people. The march, in solidarity with the Australian actions, was boosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair's recent anti-refugee statements.
Thousands more around the country demonstrated on June 23. In Sydney, a lively and colourful march attracted 7000 people. In Melbourne, 2500 participated in a noisy protest. In Adelaide, despite persistent rain, around 500 people took part. More than 1000 chanting protesters filled Brisbane's streets with chants and percussive beats. In Canberra, 1500 people rallied by the lakeside and more than 150 gathered in Darwin. In Byron Bay, 400 people took part, while 200 rallied in Newcastle.
In Launceston, more than 300 people rallied in City Park. They were addressed by Chris Brooks from the God Squad, Rebecca Kay from Human Rights Committee, Kim Booth from the Tasmanian Greens. Kamala Emanuel, from the Socialist Alliance, reiterated the call for the Tasmanian government to declare the state a safe haven for refugees. The Socialist Alliances' call at the Hobart rally the day before received prominent coverage in the June 23 Sunday Tasmanian.
There will be a more detailed report of the marches and rallies that took place around Australia on June 23 in the next issue of Green Left Weekly.
From Green Left Weekly, June 26, 2002.
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