Mission Statement - Rural Australians for Refugees: Bellingen and Nambucca District

 

Rural Australians for Refugees: Bellingen and Nambucca District

Who are we?

We are a group of some 650 local citizens who are united in our commitment to achieving a realistic, fair, humane and compassionate national asylum seeker policy. A policy which reflects Australia's international obligations and which recognises that we have a world-wide refugee crisis from which we should not seek to isolate ourselves. We are not affiliated to any political party. We do have links with the National RAR group.

What are we trying to do?

We are seeking to shift the public perception of asylum seekers and refugees by providing factual, objective information about refugee issues, about government policy and pronouncements, and about our obligations under international law. We want to end the demonisation of asylum seekers by politicians and the media and we support an evidence-based, humane and lawful set of responses to refugee issues. We seek an urgent end to offshore detention and the resettlement in the US, New Zealand or Australia of the detainees currently held in Australia, in PNG and on Nauru.

How do we campaign?

 Since 2014 we have worked to inform the public and to influence politicians through a range of activities, which have included:

·      sending out fortnightly updates to our 650+ supporters.

·      providing information to the public at our local market stalls.

·      organising regular roadside demonstrations.

·      writing letters to the press and to politicians of all parties.

·      collecting signatures on petitions and open letters to politicians.

·       organising fundraising events to support national refugee charities.

·      regular postings on our Facebook page and on our blog.

·      meeting together at intervals to discuss and plan our activities.

·      selling refugee-related merchandise on our market stalls.

How can you help us to promote the plight of asylum seekers in 2021?

·      sign up to receive our fortnightly updates.

·      join us at our market stalls in Bellingen, Valla Beach and Coffs Harbour.

·      take part in our fortnightly roadside demonstrations.

·      put a RAR bumper sticker on your car.

·      contribute to our letter-writing campaigns.

·      attend our occasional discussion, planning and social meetings.

·      support our fundraising activities. We raised an amazing $13,600 in 2020, which we donated to the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown.

Our contact details:

Email: bellingen.rar@gmail.com.   Blog: http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au. Updated 14.1.21