Next Popup demonstration: Thursday 8th September Bellingen
Market Stall Report
Bring Them Here!
Roadside demonstration report
Another successful roadside demonstration on the Pacific Highway in Nambucca Heads last Thursday. For much of the time we had more placards and banners than demonstrators, which was disappointing, but we were delighted to welcome three new supporters.There were several heart-warming highlights to the event. A passing motorist on her way to Sydney stopped to sign our petition and make a generous donation to the Asylum Seeker Centre. Later, a second young lady, also Sydney-bound, appeared on the scene with bottles of water for each of our demonstrators. Finally, another group who were driving by decided to turn around and join us for the final half hour. It turned out that they are refugees who are working on the Highway upgrade. It was a privilege to meet them and to learn a little about their lives as refugees on Temporary Protection Visas.
Our next roadside demonstration will be in Bellingen town centre, adjacent to the library, on Thursday 8th September from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm. Please consider joining us, even for part of the time. We have lots of banners and placards to share!
If you are able to join us, it would be helpful if you could let Robin know at: robinhesketh@hotmail.com.
Coffs Harbourside market report
We had a very successful market in Coffs Harbour on Sunday. The sun shone, we had a great location at the heart of the market and we had a very busy time. Lots of signatures on our petition, many positive conversations with market-goers, and a dozen new supporters to add to our growing list. We also received a number of generous donations for the Asylum Seeker Centre in Newtown. We have now sent off our first donation of $150 to ASC, which is a great start.
Our next market stall will be at the Bellingen market on Saturday 17th September. You might like to put the date in your diary.
Bring Them Here!
There is overwhelming first-hand evidence that the government’s policy of indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru and Manus Island is hugely harmful to the physical and mental well-being of the detainees. What more will it take for the government and the Labor opposition to finally implement a bipartisan policy to end this shameful cruelty?
Could you please consider telephoning the offices of Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Dutton and Shayne Neumann ( the Labor shadow minister) to express your dismay about the current situation and to call on them to resettle in Australia all those found to be genuine refugees. They are our responsibility and they are entitled to our protection under the Refugee Convention, to which Australia is a signatory. It only takes a few minutes, and all calls are logged. Only massive, ongoing public pressure is going to change things.
The telephone numbers are:
Malcolm Turnbull: 02 6277 7700
Peter Dutton: 02 6277 7860
Shayne Neumann: 07 3201 5300
Road side demo at Nambucca
Harbour-side market stall at Coffs
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