Next Roadside Demo - Toormina Thursday August 24th 2:30pm
Next Market Stall - Coffs Harbourside Sun 27th August
Donations to Asylum Seekers Centre
Another death on Manus Island
Roadside Demonstration report
Our roadside demonstration in Bellingen last week went very well, with a good turnout of supporters and terrific support from passing motorists. A young primary school student on his way home wanted to know why all the cars going by were sounding their horns!
Our next roadside demonstration will be on Thursday 24th August, when we will return to our pitch in Toormina for the first time this year. You will find us on Hogbin Drive, not far from the Sawtell Road roundabout, opposite what used to be the Sawtell nursery, on the corner of Barcoo Court. We’ll be there from 2.30 until 4.00 pm, so please come and join us if you can.
Our next market stall: Coffs Harbourside market: Sunday 27th August
We will be at Coffs Harbourside market on 27th August and would very much appreciate some support between 9.00 am and 1.30 pm. If you can help out for a while, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. As usual, we’ll be handing out leaflets, encouraging people to sign our petition and selling our merchandise. A great opportunity to interact with the public and to highlight our government’s cruel policies.
The market will take place near the surf club car park, adjacent to the mouth of Coffs Creek.
Donations to the Asylum Seekers Centre
This time last year we entered into a commitment with the ASC to raise $1,000 in a year through our market stalls. This week we have sent them $150, making a total of $1,100 for the year. In addition, we were able to send them $1,000 from our recent fundraising lunch and auction, which is a great outcome. We will continue to support ASC, given that they do such wonderful work supporting asylum seekers in Sydney. Their brochure, copies of which are available on our market stall, states: “Never in the 23 year history of the Asylum Seekers Centre have we been so pushed for resources. We are struggling to meet the needs of people seeking asylum in their quest for a life of dignity and safety......Seeking asylum is a human right. The ASC exists to protect these rights, and provide the essential services required to help these often very vulnerable people who are living in the Australian community.”
Another tragic, avoidable death on Manus Island
Earlier this month, Hamid Shamshiripoor, a 31 year old Iranian asylum seeker, was found dead near to the Lorengau “transit” centre. He had been on Manus Island for almost four years. It is not clear whether he was murdered or committed suicide.
We do know that he had serious mental health problems.
We do know that his fellow detainees pleaded in writing to the authorities in the detention centre for Hamid to receive appropriate treatment for his illness.
We do know that, instead of receiving treatment, Hamid was often imprisoned, bashed, moved around, and was finally homeless.
We do know that his case was referred to the Australian Border Force’s chief medical officer some 12 months ago.
We do know that he did not receive the care that he needed, and that he was entitled to.
We do know that nobody in authority cares.
But you care!
Please write to some of those in authority who, once again, have blood on their hands. Tell them that it is time to end this cruelty and to bring the refugees and asylum seekers here.
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